US Bridges

Docs Road over Thornton River

Fair

Culpeper County, Virginia · .85FROM 627 & .20 to 626 · Structure no. 000000000005657

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
190 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
112
2014 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Docs Road over Thornton River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Docs Road over Thornton River in Culpeper County, Virginia. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 112 vehicles a day, projected to reach 141 by 2045. The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesDocs Road
CrossesThornton River
Location.85FROM 627 & .20 to 626
RouteCounty Highway 640
CountyCulpeper County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.62331, -78.03165
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 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
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length190 ft (57.9 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic112 (2014)
Projected traffic141 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Docs Road over Thornton River built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is Docs Road over Thornton 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Docs Road over Thornton River carry?

About 112 vehicles per day (2014 count).

How long is Docs Road over Thornton River?

The structure is 190 ft (57.9 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Docs Road over Thornton River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.