Total bridges
283
Public highway bridges in Buchanan County
County profile · official public datasets
Buchanan County, VA
283 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 12% rated Good, 83.4% Fair, 4.6% Poor.
- 283
- Public bridges
- 12%
- Good condition
- 4.6%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Buchanan County pairs a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state with an older average build year than the state inventory.
- 81st
- of 129 on Poor share
- 4.6%
- Poor-condition share
- 283
- public highway bridges
- 1967
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Buchanan County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Buchanan County ranks #81 of 129 Virginia counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 4.6%). Buchanan County, Virginia contains 283 public highway bridges. Roughly 12% are rated “Good,” 83.4% “Fair,” and 4.6% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
12%
34 of 283 rated 7-9
Fair condition
83.4%
236 of 283 rated 5-6
Poor condition
4.6%
13 of 283 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#81 of 129
Among Virginia counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 283 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 12% (34)
Fair 83.4% (236)
Poor 4.6% (13)
Buchanan County's Poor-condition bridges carry 6,864 vehicle crossings a day
That is 3.7% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 4.6% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 528 crossings a day against 809 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 283 of 283 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
50.2% of Buchanan County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
142 of the 283 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 12% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 28.7% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
OLD ROCKLICK RD. over LEVISA RIVER, built 1966, carries 1,973 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 13-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 6,864 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Buchanan County's bridges were built
283 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1930s
1930–1939
94 bridges
- 1940s 3
1940–1949
3 bridges
- 1950s 5
1950–1959
5 bridges
- 1960s 26
1960–1969
26 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
40 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
53 bridges
- 1990s 15
1990–1999
15 bridges
- 2000s 23
2000–2009
23 bridges
- 2010s 20
2010–2019
20 bridges
- 2020s 4
2020–2029
4 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1930s, when 94 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 33.2% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 85 to 94 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year is 1967, 7 years older than the Virginia average of 1974.
How Buchanan County compares with Virginia's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Virginia counties nearest Buchanan County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 4.6% Poor share is the 5th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1967 against a peer-group mean of 1973 is 6 years older.
Showing the 5 closest of 128 Virginia counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince William County | 303 | 54.5% | 44.2% | 1.3% | 1989 |
| Rockingham County | 288 | 53.1% | 43.8% | 3.1% | 1972 |
| Buchanan County (this page) | 283 | 12% | 83.4% | 4.6% | 1967 |
| Pittsylvania County | 267 | 40.8% | 53.9% | 5.2% | 1977 |
| Albemarle County | 262 | 34.4% | 63.7% | 1.9% | 1962 |
| Rockbridge County | 255 | 31% | 65.5% | 3.5% | 1964 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Buchanan County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Buchanan County, both outside Virginia so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside VA (283 bridges here).
- Forrest County, MS · 283 bridges
- Ashland County, OH · 283 bridges
- Cooke County, TX · 283 bridges
- Logan County, OK · 284 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside VA (1967 here).
- Los Angeles County, CA · avg 1967 · 3,547 bridges
- Allegheny County, PA · avg 1967 · 1,294 bridges
- Sonoma County, CA · avg 1967 · 609 bridges
- Merced County, CA · avg 1967 · 528 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (236)
W.P.Harris Rec.Pk
FairOver: Stream
0.2-Rt. 80; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 1.8 t ADT: 60
Bob Casey Rd.
FairOver: Granny Creek
0.1-460EBL;0.0GreenbackRd, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 4.5 t ADT: 60
Mott Branch Rd.
FairOver: Trace Fork
0.0-Rt. 619; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 4.5 t ADT: 60
McCracken Rd.
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.01-Dead End; 0.0-Rt.643, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 60
Bright Leaf Rd.
FairOver: Russel Fork
0.1-Rt. 80; 0.2-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 60
Dresden Rd.
FairOver: Stream
0.02-Rt.632;0.10-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 60
Rebel Bridge Rd.
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.0-Rt. 643; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 60
Morning Drive
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.15-Rt.652;0.15-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 13.6 t ADT: 60
Whispering Ck. Dr.
FairOver: Whispering Creek Drive
0.0-Rt. 643; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 13.6 t ADT: 60
HarmanElemSchoolRd
FairOver: Stream
0.0-609; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 13.6 t ADT: 60
BLUE JAY ROAD
FairOver: HOME CREEK
0.0-RTE 650;0.0-DEAD END, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 13.6 t ADT: 20
Cooper Bridge Rd.
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.0-Rt. 643; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 60
Pheasant Run Rd.
FairOver: Slate Creek
0.0-Rt. 83; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 2008 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 60
Layne Bottom Rd.
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.0-Rt.643; 0.02-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 60
Turner Rd.
FairOver: Hurricane Creek
0.00-R600; 0.05-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 60
Lois Matney Bridge
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.0-Rt. 643; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 60
Willie Yates Rd.
FairOver: Greenbrier Creek
0.0-Rt.608; 0.10-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 60
Englewood Road
FairOver: RIGHT FK STRAIGHT FK CRK
0.00-RT 643;0.07-DEAD END, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 1
Sugar Bend Rd.
FairOver: Slate Creek
0.0-Rt. 83; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 60
Dooley Rd.
FairOver: Stream
0.02-Rt.643;0.02-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 60
Persley Rd.
FairOver: Russel Fork
0.0-Rt. 80; 0.5-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 2001 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 60
Endicott Rd.
FairOver: Knox Creek
0.01-Rt.652;0.10-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 60
Mallard Rd.
FairOver: Big Lick Branch
0.0-Rt. 83; 0.3-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 60
Raiders Road
FairOver: Big Prater Creek
0.0-Rt. 620; 0.1-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 60
IRA HURLEY ROAD
FairOver: RACE FORK CREEK
0.00-ROUTE 676;0.06-END, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 450
BULL CREEK RD.
FairOver: BULL CREEK
0.14 FR 614; 1.65 TO 601, Buchanan, VA
Built 1964 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 1,232
Dolly Lane Rd.
FairOver: Hurricane Branch
0.02-Rt.80; 0.02-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 60
RAILROAD AVENUE
FairOver: LEVISA RIVER
0.0FR 460 WBL;0.15TO END, Buchanan, VA
Built 1983 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 200
Cloverhill Rd.
FairOver: Stream
0.1Dead End;0.1R.460 EBL, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 60
JULIUS HALL MEM RD
FairOver: KNOX CREEK
0.35 FR 650; 0.15 TO 648, Buchanan, VA
Built 1970 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 2,107
Snapping Turtle Rd
FairOver: Left Fork
0.0-Rt. 645; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 2001 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 60
Winchester Rd.
FairOver: Stream
0.0-Rt. 643 0.0-Dead end, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 60
INDIAN CREEK RD.
FairOver: INDIAN CREEK
0.5 RT 80; 0.5 RT 688, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 446
Birch Rd.
FairOver: Lynn Camp Creek
0.0-Rt. 655; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 60
Slate Creek
FairOver: Lick Branch
0.01-Rt. 83; 3.3-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 60
June Apple Rd.
FairOver: Popular Creek
0.0-Rt. 604 0.2-Dead end, Buchanan, VA
Built 2001 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 60
VANCE BRIDGE
FairOver: Right Fork
0.0-Rt. 624; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 60
HURLEY ELEM. ENTR.
FairOver: KNOX CREEK
0.0-RTE 643;0.0-END MAINT, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 125
ROUTE 0652
FairOver: KNOX CREEK
.65 TO R706;5.95 TO W.VA., Buchanan, VA
Built 1961 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 471
Central Shop Rd.
FairOver: Levisa Fork
0.0-R.460EBL;0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Osborne Branch Rd.
FairOver: Stomer Branch
0.0-Rt. 83; 0.5-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
White Oak Rd.
FairOver: Slate Creek
0.01-Rt. 83 0.2-Dead end, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Matney Rd.
FairOver: Queen Fork
0.1-Rt. 647; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Obersver Rd.
FairOver: Dry Fork
0.0-Rt. 83; 0.01-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Arnold Bridge
FairOver: Right Fork
0.0-Rt. 624; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Square Corner Rd.
FairOver: Right Fork
0.01-Rt.624; 0.2-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 60
Myrtle Rd.
FairOver: Slate Creek
0.4-Rt. 83; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 60
Myrtle Rd.
FairOver: Slate Creek
0.20 Rt.83; 0.20 Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 60
Stiltners Creek R
FairOver: Stiltners Creek
0.28-Rt.460; 0.0-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 60
Stiltners Creek R
FairOver: Stiltners Creek
0.64-Rt.460;0.65-Dead End, Buchanan, VA
Built 1932 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 60
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges 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. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.