US Bridges

Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek

Good

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.46 FR 749 / 1.28 to 687 · Structure no. 000000000000630

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Good
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
200 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
557
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 557 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 621 by 2042. The structure is 200 ft (61 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFree Union Road
CrossesBuck Mountain Creek
Location0.46 FR 749 / 1.28 to 687
RouteCounty Highway 601
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.21314, -78.58069
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.1 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length200 ft (61 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic557 (2022)
Projected traffic621 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

How much traffic does Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek carry?

About 557 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek?

The structure is 200 ft (61 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Free Union Road over Buck Mountain Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.