US Bridges

Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek

Fair

Lynchburg city, Virginia · .0-HALSEY/.14-KULMAN · Structure no. 000000000020599

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1983
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
87 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
9,769
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek in Lynchburg city, Virginia. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1983, so it is 90 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 9,769 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,892 by 2042. The structure is 87 ft (26.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesLanghorne Road
CrossesBlackwater Creek
Location.0-HALSEY/.14-KULMAN
RouteU.S. Route 501
CountyLynchburg city
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.41573, -79.18866
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating63.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length87 ft (26.6 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.5 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,769 (2022)
Projected traffic10,892 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$111.4 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1983.

What condition is Langhorne Road over Blackwater 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek carry?

About 9,769 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek?

The structure is 87 ft (26.6 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.5 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Langhorne Road over Blackwater Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.