US Bridges

Irish Road over Briar Fork

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · .07 FR 800/.29 to 723 · Structure no. 000000000000415

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
30 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,380
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Irish Road over Briar Fork is a concrete arch - deck carrying Irish Road over Briar Fork in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, so it is 93 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.

It carries about 1,380 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,539 by 2045. The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesIrish Road
CrossesBriar Fork
Location.07 FR 800/.29 to 723
RouteState Highway 6
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.81119, -78.67539
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length30 ft (9.1 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,380 (2022)
Projected traffic1,539 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$65.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Irish Road over Briar Fork built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025.

What condition is Irish Road over Briar Fork 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 Irish Road over Briar Fork carry?

About 1,380 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Irish Road over Briar Fork?

The structure is 30 ft (9.1 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Irish Road over Briar Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.