US Bridges

Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade

Fair

Suffolk city, Virginia · 0.45 to 640 / 0.15 to 638 · Structure no. 000000000022098

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
105 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,648
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade is a concrete continuous slab carrying Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade in Suffolk city, Virginia. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 2,648 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,866 by 2042. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesPitchkettle Road
CrossesLake Meade
Location0.45 to 640 / 0.15 to 638
RouteCity Street 604
Coordinates36.75708, -76.62676
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69.1 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.7 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,648 (2022)
Projected traffic3,866 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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$501 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade carry?

About 2,648 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Pitchkettle Road over Lake Meade?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.