FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

COWPASTURE RVR HWY

Carrying COWPASTURE RVR HWY over COWPASTURE RIVER

1.61 TO 631 & 0.36 TO ACL, Bath, Virginia

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
19 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: COWPASTURE RVR HWY

The COWPASTURE RVR HWY bridge in Bath, Virginia carries COWPASTURE RVR HWY over COWPASTURE RIVER. It was built in 1939, making it 87 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1990, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 2 sections, stretching 120.1 meters (394 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 666 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Virginia bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 7/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 19.1 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How COWPASTURE RVR HWY compares

▼ 26.9
Load rating vs Virginia average (46.0 t)
Bottom 6%
Lower load rating than 94% of Virginia bridges
73
Bridges in Bath · 5 in Poor condition
COWPASTURE RVR HWY 19.1 t
Virginia average 46.0 t

Live comparison across Virginia.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
51.9 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
29.2
Serviceability /30
13.2
Essentiality /15
12.5
Special reductions
−3.0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
7/9
Good (7–9)
Inventory Load Rating
19.1 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1939
Last Reconstructed
1990
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
120.1 m (394 ft)
Deck Width
8.0 m (26 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
666 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000002442

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • At 7/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) is in good shape and shows no significant wear.

How to read this record

COWPASTURE RVR HWY is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare COWPASTURE RVR HWY against other structures in Bath and across Virginia. Virginia bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for COWPASTURE RVR HWY?

COWPASTURE RVR HWY in Bath, Virginia has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 7/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is COWPASTURE RVR HWY inspected?

COWPASTURE RVR HWY's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 666 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. COWPASTURE RVR HWY is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for COWPASTURE RVR HWY?

COWPASTURE RVR HWY has an NBI inventory load rating of 19.1 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining COWPASTURE RVR HWY?

COWPASTURE RVR HWY is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is COWPASTURE RVR HWY and does age affect safety?

COWPASTURE RVR HWY was built in 1939, making it 87 years old and last reconstructed in 1990.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.