US Bridges

Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek

Fair

Fluvanna County, Virginia · 3.51 Albem CL/0.99 to 600 · Structure no. 000000000007697

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
175 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
4,139
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek in Fluvanna County, Virginia. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 4,139 vehicles a day, projected to reach 5,671 by 2042. The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUnion Mills Road
CrossesMechunk Creek
Location3.51 Albem CL/0.99 to 600
RouteCounty Highway 616
CountyFluvanna County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.937, -78.30645
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating55 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length175 ft (53.3 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,139 (2022)
Projected traffic5,671 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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$40 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Union Mills Road over Mechunk 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek carry?

About 4,139 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek?

The structure is 175 ft (53.3 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Union Mills Road over Mechunk Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.