US Bridges

East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River

PoorClosed to traffic

Smyth County, Virginia · .04 N Main & .04 Prater · Structure no. 000000000020608

Built
1885
140 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2017
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
85 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
168
2022 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River is a steel truss - thru carrying East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1885, so it is 140 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 168 vehicles a day, projected to reach 187 by 2039. The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesEast Chilhowie ST
CrossesMf Holston River
Location.04 N Main & .04 Prater
RouteCity Street 0
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.83811, -81.51524
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2017
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length85 ft (25.9 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deck11 ft (3.2 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic168 (2022)
Projected traffic187 by 2039
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$271.7 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River built?

It was built in 1885, making it 140 years old in 2025.

What condition is East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River 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 May 2017.

How much traffic does East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River carry?

About 168 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River?

The structure is 85 ft (25.9 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.