US Bridges

North Garden Lane over South Branch

Fair

Albemarle County, Virginia · 0.01 FR 711 / 0.06 to 692 · Structure no. 000000000000803

Built
1909
116 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
227
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Garden Lane over South Branch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Garden Lane over South Branch in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was built in 1909 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 116 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 227 vehicles a day, projected to reach 291 by 2042. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesNorth Garden Lane
CrossesSouth Branch
Location0.01 FR 711 / 0.06 to 692
RouteCounty Highway 712
CountyAlbemarle County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.95686, -78.64462
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating66 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic227 (2018)
Projected traffic291 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 North Garden Lane over South Branch built?

It was built in 1909, making it 116 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is North Garden Lane 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 North Garden Lane over South Branch carry?

About 227 vehicles per day (2018 count).

How long is North Garden Lane over South Branch?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns North Garden Lane over South Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.