US Bridges

Backlick Road over Southern Railway

Fair

Fairfax County, Virginia · 00.21FR1467/ 00.07TO707 · Structure no. 000000000006693

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
203 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
31,307
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Backlick Road over Southern Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Backlick Road over Southern Railway in Fairfax County, Virginia. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 31,307 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 34,907 by 2042. The structure is 203 ft (61.9 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesBacklick Road
CrossesSouthern Railway
Location00.21FR1467/ 00.07TO707
RouteCounty Highway 617
CountyFairfax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.79722, -77.18573
Functional classUrban Minor 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
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 23 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating49.6 US tons
Inventory rating38.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length203 ft (61.9 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.5 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.4 m)
Roadway width48 ft (14.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic31,307 (2022)
Projected traffic34,907 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$501.5 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Backlick Road over Southern Railway built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is Backlick Road over Southern Railway 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does Backlick Road over Southern Railway carry?

About 31,307 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Backlick Road over Southern Railway?

The structure is 203 ft (61.9 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.5 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns Backlick Road over Southern Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.