US Bridges

Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 1.02FR231/2.63 Louisa Cl · Structure no. 000000000000451

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
22 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,940
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek is a concrete slab carrying Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek 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 5 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 1,940 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,998 by 2042. The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesLouisa Road
CrossesBranch Mechunk Creek
Location1.02FR231/2.63 Louisa Cl
RouteState Highway 22
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.05569, -78.2993
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating38 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length22 ft (6.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,940 (2022)
Projected traffic1,998 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$175 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek built?

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

What condition is Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek carry?

About 1,940 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek?

The structure is 22 ft (6.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Louisa Road over Branch Mechunk Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.