US Bridges

Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek

Fair

Washington County, Virginia · 0.00 FR 726; 0.60 to Tenn · Structure no. 000000000019167

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
114
2017 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek is a concrete slab carrying Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek in Washington County, Virginia. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 63 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.

It carries about 114 vehicles a day, projected to reach 130 by 2045. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

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CarriesDry Branch Rd.
CrossesValley Creek
Location0.00 FR 726; 0.60 to Tenn
RouteCounty Highway 727
CountyWashington County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.61896, -81.71072
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 inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 rating97 US tons
Inventory rating75 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic114 (2017)
Projected traffic130 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed19.9 mi (32 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$15.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Dry Branch Rd. over Valley 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 March 2025.

How much traffic does Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek carry?

About 114 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Dry Branch Rd. over Valley Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.