US Bridges

Elbow Road over Drainage Canal

FairPosted for load

Virginia Beach city, Virginia · 0.50SALEM RD/0.70IND Riv · Structure no. 000000000022176

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
21 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
12,056
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Elbow Road over Drainage Canal is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Elbow Road over Drainage Canal in Virginia Beach city, Virginia. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 12,056 vehicles a day, projected to reach 17,602 by 2045. The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesElbow Road
CrossesDrainage Canal
Location0.50SALEM RD/0.70IND Riv
RouteCity Street 0
CountyVirginia Beach city
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.76591, -76.13013
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating99 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length21 ft (6.4 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic12,056 (2022)
Projected traffic17,602 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$105 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Elbow Road over Drainage Canal built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Elbow Road over Drainage Canal 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 2023.

How much traffic does Elbow Road over Drainage Canal carry?

About 12,056 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Elbow Road over Drainage Canal?

The structure is 21 ft (6.4 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Elbow Road over Drainage Canal?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.