US Bridges

Dorchester Road over Powell River

Fair

Wise County, Virginia · 2.36M to 621&.14M to 623S · Structure no. 000000000019377

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 1980
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
363
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dorchester Road over Powell River is a concrete slab carrying Dorchester Road over Powell River in Wise County, Virginia. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 1980, so it is 60 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 363 vehicles a day, projected to reach 545 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesDorchester Road
CrossesPowell River
Location2.36M to 621&.14M to 623S
RouteCounty Highway 610
CountyWise County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.97354, -82.647
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating99 US tons
Inventory rating94 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic363 (2022)
Projected traffic545 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$129.1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dorchester Road over Powell River built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1980.

What condition is Dorchester Road over Powell 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Dorchester Road over Powell River carry?

About 363 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Dorchester Road over Powell River?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Dorchester Road over Powell River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.