US Bridges

Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek

FairPosted for load

Tazewell County, Virginia · .36 to 734 & .24 50 644E · Structure no. 000000000018669

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
98
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek is a concrete slab carrying Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek in Tazewell County, Virginia. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 98 vehicles a day, projected to reach 113 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld River Road
CrossesLaurel Fork Creek
Location.36 to 734 & .24 50 644E
RouteCounty Highway 747
CountyTazewell County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.30489, -81.35172
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 rating16 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic98 (2015)
Projected traffic113 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$100.1 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old River Road over Laurel Fork 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek carry?

About 98 vehicles per day (2015 count).

How long is Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Old River Road over Laurel Fork Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.