US Bridges

Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek

FairPosted for load

Wythe County, Virginia · 2.9M to 94 & 1.20M to 619 · Structure no. 000000000019551

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,675
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek is a concrete slab carrying Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 2,675 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,875 by 2045. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 19.9 mi (32 km).

Location

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CarriesFort Chiswell Rd.
CrossesGalena Creek
Location2.9M to 94 & 1.20M to 619
RouteU.S. Route 52
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.89922, -80.91099
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,675 (2022)
Projected traffic2,875 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$82 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek carry?

About 2,675 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Fort Chiswell Rd. over Galena Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.