US Bridges

Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek

Good

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.87 FR 673 /0.02 to 810 · Structure no. 000000000000735

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Good
inspected January 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
335
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek is a concrete slab carrying Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932, 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 335 vehicles a day, projected to reach 375 by 2042. The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBreak Heart Road
CrossesBranch Bluff Creek
Location0.87 FR 673 /0.02 to 810
RouteCounty Highway 674
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.13838, -78.66489
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating82 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length23 ft (6.9 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic335 (2021)
Projected traffic375 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek built?

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

What condition is Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

How much traffic does Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek carry?

About 335 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Break Heart Road over Branch Bluff Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.