US Bridges

Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · .35T0PEPFERRD&.38TOWYTHCO · Structure no. 000000000022381

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
285 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
2,359
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81 in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 2,359 vehicles a day, projected to reach 3,100 by 2045. The structure is 285 ft (87 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCove Road
CrossesRtes 52 & I-81
Location.35T0PEPFERRD&.38TOWYTHCO
RouteCity Street 603
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.96602, -81.07946
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length285 ft (87 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.1 m)
Deck width36 ft (11.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,359 (2022)
Projected traffic3,100 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81 built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81 carry?

About 2,359 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81?

The structure is 285 ft (87 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.1 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Cove Road over Rtes 52 & I-81?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.