US Bridges

Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run

Fair

Fairfax County, Virginia · 0.03FR COLS/0.05TO Old M · Structure no. 000000000027939

Built
2004
21 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
268 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
9,600
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run in Fairfax County, Virginia. It was built in 2004, so it is 21 years old, younger 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 9,600 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,845 by 2042. The structure is 268 ft (81.7 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesChain Bridge Road
CrossesScotts Run
Location0.03FR COLS/0.05TO Old M
RouteCounty Highway 3547
CountyFairfax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.92271, -77.20933
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 19 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating64.6 US tons
Inventory rating49.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length268 ft (81.7 m)
Longest span110 ft (33.5 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,600 (2023)
Projected traffic14,845 by 2042
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$100 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run built?

It was built in 2004, making it 21 years old in 2025.

What condition is Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run carry?

About 9,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run?

The structure is 268 ft (81.7 m) long with a longest span of 110 ft (33.5 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns Chain Bridge Road over Scotts Run?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.