FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

WADES ROAD

Carrying WADES ROAD over CEDAR GROVE BRANCH

0.40 TO 726 & 0.60 TO 729, Rockbridge, Virginia

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
16 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: WADES ROAD

The WADES ROAD bridge in Rockbridge, Virginia carries WADES ROAD over CEDAR GROVE BRANCH. It was built in 1932, making it 94 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 10.3 meters (34 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 131 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 5/9, superstructure at 4/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 16.1 metric tons.

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

How WADES ROAD compares

▼ 29.9
Load rating vs Virginia average (46.0 t)
Bottom 4%
Lower load rating than 96% of Virginia bridges
255
Bridges in Rockbridge · 9 in Poor condition
WADES ROAD 16.1 t
Virginia average 46.0 t

Live comparison across Virginia.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
41.0 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
8.6
Serviceability /30
17.5
Essentiality /15
14.9
Special reductions
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
16.1 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1932
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
10.3 m (34 ft)
Deck Width
7.3 m (24 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
131 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000000015653

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • At 4/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority repair.
  • At 6/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

WADES ROAD 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 WADES ROAD against other structures in Rockbridge 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 WADES ROAD?

WADES ROAD in Rockbridge, Virginia has a deck rating of 5/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is WADES ROAD inspected?

WADES ROAD'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 131 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. WADES ROAD 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 WADES ROAD?

WADES ROAD has an NBI inventory load rating of 16.1 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining WADES ROAD?

WADES ROAD is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is WADES ROAD and does age affect safety?

WADES ROAD was built in 1932, making it 94 years old.

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.