US Bridges

Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 6.93 FR 22/1.18TO Lou Cl · Structure no. 000000000000581

Built
1939
86 years old, rebuilt 1979
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
45 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
5,972
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek is a concrete slab carrying Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1979, so it is 86 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 5,972 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,126 by 2042. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesGordonsville Road
CrossesHappy Creek
Location6.93 FR 22/1.18TO Lou Cl
RouteState Highway 231
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.11824, -78.22588
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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 within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,972 (2022)
Projected traffic7,126 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1979.

What condition is Gordonsville Road over Happy 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 Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek carry?

About 5,972 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Gordonsville Road over Happy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.