US Bridges

Lee Highway over Reed Creek

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · .22M to 656 & 1.51M TO771 · Structure no. 000000000019515

Built
1931
94 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
280 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,702
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lee Highway over Reed Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lee Highway over Reed Creek in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1931 and reconstructed in 1997, so it is 94 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 1,702 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2,553 by 2045. The structure is 280 ft (85.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

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CarriesLee Highway
CrossesReed Creek
Location.22M to 656 & 1.51M TO771
RouteU.S. Route 11
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.94261, -81.13527
Functional classUrban 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.
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating80 US tons
Inventory rating61.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length280 ft (85.3 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,702 (2022)
Projected traffic2,553 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lee Highway over Reed Creek built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is Lee Highway over Reed 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Lee Highway over Reed Creek carry?

About 1,702 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Lee Highway over Reed Creek?

The structure is 280 ft (85.3 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Lee Highway over Reed Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.