US Bridges

Plunkett Road over Lynch River

Good

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.3FR 663 & 0.4 Greene Cl · Structure no. 000000000000645

Built
1917
108 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Good
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
81 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
318
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plunkett Road over Lynch River is a steel truss - thru carrying Plunkett Road over Lynch River in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1917 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 108 years old, older 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 318 vehicles a day, projected to reach 410 by 2045. The structure is 81 ft (24.8 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesPlunkett Road
CrossesLynch River
Location0.3FR 663 & 0.4 Greene Cl
RouteCounty Highway 603
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.22489, -78.52084
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating86 US tons
Inventory rating51 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadHL 93
Structure length81 ft (24.8 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.4 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic318 (2021)
Projected traffic410 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$205 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plunkett Road over Lynch River built?

It was built in 1917, making it 108 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is Plunkett Road over Lynch River 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Plunkett Road over Lynch River carry?

About 318 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Plunkett Road over Lynch River?

The structure is 81 ft (24.8 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.4 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Plunkett Road over Lynch River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.