US Bridges

Plank Road over Branch of South Branch

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 1.79 FR 696 / 0.18 to 29 · Structure no. 000000000000775

Built
1932
93 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,032
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Plank Road over Branch of South Branch is a concrete slab carrying Plank Road over Branch of South Branch 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 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 2,032 vehicles a day, projected to reach 2,406 by 2045. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPlank Road
CrossesBranch of South Branch
Location1.79 FR 696 / 0.18 to 29
RouteCounty Highway 692
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.95806, -78.66209
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,032 (2022)
Projected traffic2,406 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$145 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Plank Road over Branch of South Branch built?

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

What condition is Plank Road over Branch of 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Plank Road over Branch of South Branch carry?

About 2,032 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Plank Road over Branch of South Branch?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Plank Road over Branch of South Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.