US Bridges

Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.42 FR 817/0.76GREENE Cl · Structure no. 000000000000646

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
154 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
1,457
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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 1,457 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2,065 by 2045. The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

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CarriesBuffalo River Road
CrossesNorth Fork Rivanna River
Location0.42 FR 817/0.76GREENE Cl
RouteCounty Highway 604
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.20425, -78.47083
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating53 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadH 20
Structure length154 ft (46.9 m)
Longest span43 ft (13 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,457 (2022)
Projected traffic2,065 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$560 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River carry?

About 1,457 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River?

The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Buffalo River Road over North Fork Rivanna River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.