US Bridges

Batesville Road over Mechums River

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 1.77 FR 691 / 0.23 to 635 · Structure no. 000000000000699

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
43 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
75
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Batesville Road over Mechums River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Batesville Road over Mechums River in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1988, 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 75 vehicles a day, projected to reach 111 by 2045. The structure is 43 ft (13.2 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBatesville Road
CrossesMechums River
Location1.77 FR 691 / 0.23 to 635
RouteCounty Highway 636
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.9923, -78.73353
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length43 ft (13.2 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2021)
Projected traffic111 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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$175 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Batesville Road over Mechums River built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is Batesville Road over Mechums 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Batesville Road over Mechums River carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Batesville Road over Mechums River?

The structure is 43 ft (13.2 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Batesville Road over Mechums River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.