US Bridges

Forest Road over North River

Fair

Augusta County, Virginia · North River Area · Structure no. 080802000003175

Built
1937
88 years old, rebuilt 1954
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
53 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
1998 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Forest Road over North River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Forest Road over North River in Augusta County, Virginia. It was built in 1937 and reconstructed in 1954, so it is 88 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 70 vehicles a day, projected to reach 105 by 2045. The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

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CarriesForest Road
CrossesNorth River
LocationNorth River Area
RouteFederal Lands Road 95
CountyAugusta County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.3734, -79.27852
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46.4 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length53 ft (16.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.3 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (1998)
Projected traffic105 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Forest Road over North River built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1954.

What condition is Forest Road over North 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Forest Road over North River carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (1998 count).

How long is Forest Road over North River?

The structure is 53 ft (16.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.3 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Forest Road over North River?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.