US Bridges

Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River

Fair

Wise County, Virginia · 1.62 Fr. 640; 3.9 to 649 · Structure no. 000000000019323

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
66 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
622
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River in Wise County, Virginia. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 90 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 622 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 694 by 2042. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesCranes Nest Road
CrossesCranes Nest River
Location1.62 Fr. 640; 3.9 to 649
RouteState Highway 72
CountyWise County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.02347, -82.50181
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic622 (2022)
Projected traffic694 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River carry?

About 622 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Cranes Nest Road over Cranes Nest River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.