US Bridges

Rio Road over Meadow Creek

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.01FR NCLCHAR/0.67TO1481 · Structure no. 000000000000679

Built
1983
42 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
136 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
8,222
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rio Road over Meadow Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Rio Road over Meadow Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1983, so it is 42 years old, younger 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 6 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 8,222 vehicles a day, projected to reach 9,168 by 2045. The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesRio Road
CrossesMeadow Creek
Location0.01FR NCLCHAR/0.67TO1481
RouteCounty Highway 631
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.04709, -78.46988
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating94 US tons
Inventory rating72 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length136 ft (41.5 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.8 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,222 (2022)
Projected traffic9,168 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$235 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rio Road over Meadow Creek built?

It was built in 1983, making it 42 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rio Road over Meadow 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Rio Road over Meadow Creek carry?

About 8,222 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Rio Road over Meadow Creek?

The structure is 136 ft (41.5 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.8 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Rio Road over Meadow Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.