US Bridges

Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch

Fair

Wise County, Virginia · .77MTO 804 & 1.09M to 763 · Structure no. 000000000019316

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
925
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch is a concrete slab carrying Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch in Wise County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 93 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 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 925 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,031 by 2045. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesExeter Rd.
CrossesLake Branch
Location.77MTO 804 & 1.09M to 763
RouteState Highway 68
CountyWise County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.87805, -82.81892
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic925 (2022)
Projected traffic1,031 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$85.8 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch carry?

About 925 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Exeter Rd. over Lake Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.