US Bridges

Plank Road over South Branch

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.45 FR 29 / 0.51 to 712 · Structure no. 000000000000771

Built
1932
93 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,039
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over South Branch is a concrete slab carrying Plank Road over South Branch in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1932 and reconstructed in 1998, 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 6 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 1,039 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,158 by 2042. The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPlank Road
CrossesSouth Branch
Location0.45 FR 29 / 0.51 to 712
RouteCounty Highway 692
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.95561, -78.65199
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating85 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.9 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.9 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,039 (2022)
Projected traffic1,158 by 2042
Trucks1%
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 Plank Road over South Branch built?

It was built in 1932, making it 93 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Plank Road over South Branch 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Plank Road over South Branch carry?

About 1,039 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Plank Road over South Branch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.9 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over South Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.