US Bridges

Dorchester Road over Powell River

Fair

Wise County, Virginia · 0.0M to 774 & 0.0M to 610 · Structure no. 000000000019400

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,849
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dorchester Road over Powell River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Dorchester Road over Powell River in Wise County, Virginia. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 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 1,849 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2,774 by 2042. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesDorchester Road
CrossesPowell River
Location0.0M to 774 & 0.0M to 610
RouteCounty Highway 621
CountyWise County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.93076, -82.65647
Functional classUrban 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 inspectionDecember 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 rating96 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.9 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,849 (2022)
Projected traffic2,774 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$163.5 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Dorchester Road over Powell River built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

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 December 2024.

How much traffic does Dorchester Road over Powell River carry?

About 1,849 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Dorchester Road over Powell River?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Dorchester Road over Powell River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.