US Bridges

North Main Street over Meherrin River

Fair

Emporia city, Virginia · 0.41 to 58 / 1.11SCL-EMPO · Structure no. 000000000020240

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
279 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
15,174
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Main Street over Meherrin River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Main Street over Meherrin River in Emporia city, Virginia. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 15,174 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20,988 by 2042. The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long and 63 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesNorth Main Street
CrossesMeherrin River
Location0.41 to 58 / 1.11SCL-EMPO
RouteU.S. Route 301
CountyEmporia city
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.68955, -77.54139
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating72.1 US tons
Inventory rating55.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length279 ft (85 m)
Longest span110 ft (33.5 m)
Deck width63 ft (19.1 m)
Roadway width48 ft (14.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,174 (2022)
Projected traffic20,988 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$236.3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was North Main Street over Meherrin River built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is North Main Street over Meherrin 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does North Main Street over Meherrin River carry?

About 15,174 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is North Main Street over Meherrin River?

The structure is 279 ft (85 m) long with a longest span of 110 ft (33.5 m) and a deck 63 ft wide.

Who owns North Main Street over Meherrin River?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.