US Bridges

Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek

Fair

Fairfax County, Virginia · 00.65FR.5439/00.35TO5436 · Structure no. 000000000006792

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,415
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek in Fairfax County, Virginia. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 3,415 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,884 by 2042. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesPopes Head Road
CrossesPopes Head Creek
Location00.65FR.5439/00.35TO5436
RouteCounty Highway 654
CountyFairfax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.81614, -77.33753
Functional classUrban Collector

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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating90.7 US tons
Inventory rating70 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,415 (2022)
Projected traffic4,884 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$188 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek 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 Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek carry?

About 3,415 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Popes Head Road over Popes Head Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.