US Bridges

Unity Road over Whitfield Mill

Fair

Southampton County, Virginia · 0.55 MI to Int RTE 638 · Structure no. 000000000017764

Built
1966
59 years old, rebuilt 2005
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
587
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Unity Road over Whitfield Mill is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Unity Road over Whitfield Mill in Southampton County, Virginia. It was built in 1966 and reconstructed in 2005, so it is 59 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 587 vehicles a day, projected to reach 857 by 2045. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUnity Road
CrossesWhitfield Mill
Location0.55 MI to Int RTE 638
RouteCounty Highway 603
CountySouthampton County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.8033, -76.95486
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60.5 US tons
Inventory rating36.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic587 (2022)
Projected traffic857 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$158 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Unity Road over Whitfield Mill built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2005.

What condition is Unity Road over Whitfield Mill 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Unity Road over Whitfield Mill carry?

About 587 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Unity Road over Whitfield Mill?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Unity Road over Whitfield Mill?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.