US Bridges

Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 2.80 FR 29 / 1.70 to 712 · Structure no. 000000000000687

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
73
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 93 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 73 vehicles a day, projected to reach 108 by 2045. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCove Garden Road
CrossesSouth Fork Hardware Rvr
Location2.80 FR 29 / 1.70 to 712
RouteCounty Highway 633
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.91017, -78.65872
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 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 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 rating69 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic73 (2021)
Projected traffic108 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
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$185 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr carry?

About 73 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Cove Garden Road over South Fork Hardware Rvr?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.