US Bridges

Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · 0.0M to 52 & 1.8M to 623 · Structure no. 000000000024502

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
90 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
292
2017 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek is a concrete slab carrying Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 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 292 vehicles a day, projected to reach 450 by 2045. The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFoster Falls Road
CrossesShorts Creek
Location0.0M to 52 & 1.8M to 623
RouteCounty Highway 608
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.86913, -80.86852
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating98 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length90 ft (27.4 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic292 (2017)
Projected traffic450 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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 Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Foster Falls Road over Shorts 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek carry?

About 292 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek?

The structure is 90 ft (27.4 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Foster Falls Road over Shorts Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.