US Bridges

Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.08-1428 & 0.4-BELVEDERE · Structure no. 000000000000718

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 2010
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
157 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
1,618
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 2010, 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 1,618 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,812 by 2045. The structure is 157 ft (47.9 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesFreestate Road
CrossesNorfolk Southern Railway
Location0.08-1428 & 0.4-BELVEDERE
RouteCounty Highway 651
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.07248, -78.46332
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length157 ft (47.9 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.6 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.1 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,618 (2021)
Projected traffic1,812 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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$365 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2010.

What condition is Freestate 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 Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway carry?

About 1,618 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway?

The structure is 157 ft (47.9 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.6 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Freestate Road over Norfolk Southern Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.