US Bridges

Railroad Drive over NS Railway

PoorClosed to traffic

Smyth County, Virginia · .97 FR R659 & .02 to R11 · Structure no. 000000000017656

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
113 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
949
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Railroad Drive over NS Railway is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Railroad Drive over NS Railway in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, so it is 93 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 949 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,058 by 2045. The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesRailroad Drive
CrossesNS Railway
Location.97 FR R659 & .02 to R11
RouteCounty Highway 660
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.81263, -81.57414
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length113 ft (34.4 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic949 (2022)
Projected traffic1,058 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$347.1 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Railroad Drive over NS Railway built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025.

What condition is Railroad Drive over NS Railway in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in November 2024.

How much traffic does Railroad Drive over NS Railway carry?

About 949 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Railroad Drive over NS Railway?

The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Railroad Drive over NS Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.