US Bridges

Bedford Avenue over NS Railway

PoorPosted for load

Lynchburg city, Virginia · 1.22-RT501/1.64-RT29 a · Structure no. 000000000020600

Built
1908
117 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
47 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,777
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bedford Avenue over NS Railway is a concrete slab carrying Bedford Avenue over NS Railway in Lynchburg city, Virginia. It was built in 1908, so it is 117 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 2,777 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,096 by 2045. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBedford Avenue
CrossesNS Railway
Location1.22-RT501/1.64-RT29 a
RouteCity Street 6012
CountyLynchburg city
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.43395, -79.16549
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating18 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.5 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,777 (2022)
Projected traffic3,096 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$450 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Bedford Avenue over NS Railway built?

It was built in 1908, making it 117 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bedford Avenue over NS Railway in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

How much traffic does Bedford Avenue over NS Railway carry?

About 2,777 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bedford Avenue over NS Railway?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Bedford Avenue over NS Railway?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.