US Bridges

Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River

Good

Fauquier County, Virginia · Rapp. & Fauq. Co. Line · Structure no. 000000000007323

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 2006
Condition
Good
inspected April 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
282 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
196
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River is a steel truss - thru carrying Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River in Fauquier County, Virginia. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 2006, so it is 105 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 196 vehicles a day, projected to reach 286 by 2045. The structure is 282 ft (86 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

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CarriesTapps Ford Road
CrossesRappahannock River
LocationRapp. & Fauq. Co. Line
RouteCounty Highway 645
CountyFauquier County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.71918, -78.00693
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1 (+6 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length282 ft (86 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic196 (2022)
Projected traffic286 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2006.

What condition is Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River carry?

About 196 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River?

The structure is 282 ft (86 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Tapps Ford Road over Rappahannock River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.