US Bridges

Bear Creek Road over NS Railway

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · At R11 & .9 to R617 · Structure no. 000000000017588

Built
1969
56 years old, rebuilt 2024
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,013
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bear Creek Road over NS Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bear Creek Road over NS Railway in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1969 and reconstructed in 2024, so it is 56 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 2,013 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2,244 by 2045. The structure is 122 ft (37.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesBear Creek Road
CrossesNS Railway
LocationAt R11 & .9 to R617
RouteCounty Highway 622
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.86261, -81.44882
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length122 ft (37.3 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,013 (2022)
Projected traffic2,244 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Bear Creek Road over NS Railway built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2024.

What condition is Bear Creek Road over NS Railway in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does Bear Creek Road over NS Railway carry?

About 2,013 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Bear Creek Road over NS Railway?

The structure is 122 ft (37.3 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Bear Creek Road over NS Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.