US Bridges

Plank Road over Mechums River

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · .80 FR 637 & .50 to 635 · Structure no. 000000000000772

Built
1903
122 years old, rebuilt 2023
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
964
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over Mechums River is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Plank Road over Mechums River in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1903 and reconstructed in 2023, so it is 122 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 964 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,259 by 2045. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPlank Road
CrossesMechums River
Location.80 FR 637 & .50 to 635
RouteCounty Highway 692
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.00129, -78.72759
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.1 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic964 (2022)
Projected traffic1,259 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$260 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plank Road over Mechums River built?

It was built in 1903, making it 122 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2023.

What condition is Plank 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 2024.

How much traffic does Plank Road over Mechums River carry?

About 964 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Plank Road over Mechums River?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over Mechums River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.