US Bridges

Gwmp over Gulf Branch

Fair

Arlington County, Virginia · 5.4 Miles South of I-495. · Structure no. 3300007P0000000

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 1982
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
424 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
27,400
2007 count
Owner
Federal
National Park Service

About this bridge

Gwmp over Gulf Branch is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying Gwmp over Gulf Branch in Arlington County, Virginia. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 1982, so it is 66 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 5 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 27,400 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 30,140 by 2027. The structure is 424 ft (129.2 m) long and 68 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGwmp
CrossesGulf Branch
Location5.4 Miles South of I-495.
RouteFederal Lands Road 1
CountyArlington County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.92483, -77.11425
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating40 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length424 ft (129.2 m)
Longest span160 ft (48.8 m)
Deck width68 ft (20.7 m)
Roadway width63 ft (19.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic27,400 (2007)
Projected traffic30,140 by 2027
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNational Park Service
Maintained byNational Park Service
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gwmp over Gulf Branch built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1982.

What condition is Gwmp over Gulf 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Gwmp over Gulf Branch carry?

About 27,400 vehicles per day (2007 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gwmp over Gulf Branch?

The structure is 424 ft (129.2 m) long with a longest span of 160 ft (48.8 m) and a deck 68 ft wide.

Who owns Gwmp over Gulf Branch?

It is owned by the National Park Service.