US Bridges

Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.25 FR 29 / 4.25 to 712 · Structure no. 000000000000686

Built
1997
28 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
108 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
214
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1997, so it is 28 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 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 214 vehicles a day, projected to reach 243 by 2045. The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesCove Garden Road
CrossesNorfolk Southern Railway
Location0.25 FR 29 / 4.25 to 712
RouteCounty Highway 633
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.89676, -78.69269
Functional classRural Local

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.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
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
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length108 ft (32.9 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic214 (2018)
Projected traffic243 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$260 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway built?

It was built in 1997, making it 28 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway carry?

About 214 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway?

The structure is 108 ft (32.9 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Cove Garden Road over Norfolk Southern Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.