Nelson County Bridge Report Card
Nelson County scores 88 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Nelson County, Virginia
Nelson County has 135 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 5 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.7% is above the 3.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,485 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Nelson County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 88/100 (B). The county has 135 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 5 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 1,485 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 3.7% | 7.4 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 0.7% of measured traffic | 0.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 57 years vs 48 nationally | 3.8 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 226,005 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 3.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 3.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 57 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 1,485 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Nelson County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Road over Hat Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,005 | 1963 |
| Rocky Road over Branch Rockfish River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 235 | 1970 |
| Carter Hill Road over Tye River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 154 | 1970 |
| Moses Hughes Lane over S.fork Rockfish River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 71 | 1970 |
| Drumheller Lane over Rockfish River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 20 | 1970 |
| Thomas Nelson HWY over Hickory Creek | High traffic | Fair | 12,626 | 1976 |
| Critzer Shop Road over Stockton Creek | High traffic | Good | 8,500 | 2023 |
| Sbl T. Nelson Hwy. over Dillard Creek | High traffic | Fair | 8,282 | 1928 |
| Route 29 Sbl over Rucker Run | High traffic | Good | 8,282 | 1932 |
| Nbl T. Nelson HWY over Dillard Creek | High traffic | Fair | 8,282 | 1965 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.