US Bridges

Melon Road over Dan River

Fair

Halifax County, Virginia · 1.61-RT 751/0.60-RT 691 · Structure no. 000000000009268

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
321 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
722
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Melon Road over Dan River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Melon Road over Dan River in Halifax County, Virginia. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 722 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 805 by 2045. The structure is 321 ft (97.9 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.1 mi (34 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMelon Road
CrossesDan River
Location1.61-RT 751/0.60-RT 691
RouteCounty Highway 658
CountyHalifax County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.6429, -79.09025
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length321 ft (97.9 m)
Longest span93 ft (28.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic722 (2022)
Projected traffic805 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.1 mi (34 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$281.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Melon Road over Dan River built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Melon Road over Dan River 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does Melon Road over Dan River carry?

About 722 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Melon Road over Dan River?

The structure is 321 ft (97.9 m) long with a longest span of 93 ft (28.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Melon Road over Dan River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.