US Bridges

Route 643 over Mud Fork

FairPosted for load

Tazewell County, Virginia · 2.6M to 653 & .2M to 656 · Structure no. 000000000018614

Built
1953
72 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
46
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route 643 over Mud Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Route 643 over Mud Fork in Tazewell County, Virginia. It was built in 1953, so it is 72 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 46 vehicles a day, projected to reach 49 by 2042. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRoute 643
CrossesMud Fork
Location2.6M to 653 & .2M to 656
RouteCounty Highway 643
CountyTazewell County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.23881, -81.40423
Functional classRural Local

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.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating23 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.8 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic46 (2015)
Projected traffic49 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$80.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Route 643 over Mud Fork built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route 643 over Mud Fork 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Route 643 over Mud Fork carry?

About 46 vehicles per day (2015 count).

How long is Route 643 over Mud Fork?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns Route 643 over Mud Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.