US Bridges

Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.04 FR 627 / 3.62 to 795 · Structure no. 000000000000789

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Culvert
Steel
Length
20 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
806
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River is a steel culvert carrying Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 806 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,193 by 2045. The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesSecretarys Road
CrossesBranch Hardware River
Location0.04 FR 627 / 3.62 to 795
RouteCounty Highway 708
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.90936, -78.54163
Functional classRural 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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length20 ft (6.1 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.4 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic806 (2021)
Projected traffic1,193 by 2045
Trucks0%
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$85 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River carry?

About 806 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River?

The structure is 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.4 m).

Who owns Secretarys Road over Branch Hardware River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.