South Main St. over Chestnut Creek

Fair

Galax city, Virginia · 015358 001697 · Structure no. 000000000020277

Built: 1948; 77 years old, rebuilt 1995
Condition: Fair; inspected January 2025
Type: Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder; Steel Continuous
Length: 339 ft; 5 main spans
Daily traffic: 5,699; 2022 count
Owner: City; City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

South Main St. over Chestnut Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying South Main St. over Chestnut Creek in Galax city, Virginia. It was built in 1948 and reconstructed in 1995, so it is 77 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 5,699 vehicles a day, projected to reach 6,354 by 2045. The structure is 339 ft (103.3 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesSouth Main St.

CrossesChestnut Creek

Location015358 001697

RouteState Highway 89

CountyGalax city

StateVirginia

Coordinates36.64148, -80.91863

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.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Superstructure	7 Good	Some minor problems.
Substructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionJanuary 2025

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating83 US tons

Inventory rating64 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder

MaterialSteel Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans5

Design loadH 15

Structure length339 ft (103.3 m)

Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)

Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)

Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,699 (2022)

Projected traffic6,354 by 2045

Trucks0%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesWaterway

Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength

Estimated improvement cost$400 million

NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was South Main St. over Chestnut Creek built?

It was built in 1948, making it 77 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1995.

What condition is South Main St. over Chestnut 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does South Main St. over Chestnut Creek carry?

About 5,699 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is South Main St. over Chestnut Creek?

The structure is 339 ft (103.3 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns South Main St. over Chestnut Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.