US Bridges

Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp

Fair

Southampton County, Virginia · 1.80 MI to Int. Rte. 653 · Structure no. 000000000017898

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
176
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp in Southampton County, Virginia. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 176 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 196 by 2042. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWhitehead Road
CrossesBranch Flat Swamp
Location1.80 MI to Int. Rte. 653
RouteCounty Highway 730
CountySouthampton County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.58679, -77.31844
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating85.6 US tons
Inventory rating66.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic176 (2022)
Projected traffic196 by 2042
Trucks4%
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$4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp carry?

About 176 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Whitehead Road over Branch Flat Swamp?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.