US Bridges

Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch

Good

Smyth County, Virginia · 1.75FR676E;0.95TO Gray.Cl · Structure no. 000000000026889

Built
2001
24 years old
Condition
Good
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
261
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch is a concrete slab carrying Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 2001, so it is 24 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 261 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 291 by 2045. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFlat Ridge Road
CrossesHoundshell Branch
Location1.75FR676E;0.95TO Gray.Cl
RouteCounty Highway 601
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.75131, -81.382
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating89.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic261 (2022)
Projected traffic291 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.8 mi (27 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch built?

It was built in 2001, making it 24 years old in 2025.

What condition is Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch carry?

About 261 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Flat Ridge Road over Houndshell Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.