US Bridges

Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River

Fair

Hanover County, Virginia · 0.45 FR 686 & 0.85 to 738 · Structure no. 000000000009564

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
79 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
628
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River in Hanover County, Virginia. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 628 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 671 by 2042. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesRocketts Mill Road
CrossesNew Found River
Location0.45 FR 686 & 0.85 to 738
RouteCounty Highway 685
CountyHanover County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.84311, -77.54115
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.
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 protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating73 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic628 (2022)
Projected traffic671 by 2042
Trucks1%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$348 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rocketts Mill Road over New Found 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River carry?

About 628 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Rocketts Mill Road over New Found River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.