US Bridges

Tech Road over Bluestone River

Fair

Tazewell County, Virginia · 0.10 to D.End &.20 to 102 · Structure no. 000000000024020

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
45
2015 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tech Road over Bluestone River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Tech Road over Bluestone River in Tazewell County, Virginia. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 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 45 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 52 by 2042. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTech Road
CrossesBluestone River
Location0.10 to D.End &.20 to 102
RouteCounty Highway 843
CountyTazewell County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.26971, -81.2827
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 rating50 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic45 (2015)
Projected traffic52 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 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$192.4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tech Road over Bluestone River built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tech Road over Bluestone River 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 Tech Road over Bluestone River carry?

About 45 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Tech Road over Bluestone River?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Tech Road over Bluestone River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.