US Bridges

Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek

FairPosted for load

Tazewell County, Virginia · 0.15 to R19-.85 from R699 · Structure no. 000000000018598

Built
1923
102 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
39 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
244
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek in Tazewell County, Virginia. It was built in 1923, so it is 102 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 244 vehicles a day, projected to reach 272 by 2045. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoute 637
CrossesPounding Mill Creek
Location0.15 to R19-.85 from R699
RouteCounty Highway 637
CountyTazewell County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.07527, -81.71321
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 rating29 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.5 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic244 (2022)
Projected traffic272 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$172.4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek built?

It was built in 1923, making it 102 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek carry?

About 244 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.5 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Route 637 over Pounding Mill Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.