US Bridges

Belle Meade Road over Little River

PoorClosed to traffic

Louisa County, Virginia · 1.90 from 608&1.40 to 618 · Structure no. 000000000011553

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
130 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
683
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Belle Meade Road over Little River is a concrete continuous slab carrying Belle Meade Road over Little River in Louisa County, Virginia. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 683 vehicles a day, projected to reach 772 by 2042. The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesBelle Meade Road
CrossesLittle River
Location1.90 from 608&1.40 to 618
RouteCounty Highway 701
CountyLouisa County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.92803, -77.75073
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length130 ft (39.6 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic683 (2019)
Projected traffic772 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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$210 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Belle Meade Road over Little River built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Belle Meade Road over Little River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2024.

How much traffic does Belle Meade Road over Little River carry?

About 683 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Belle Meade Road over Little River?

The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Belle Meade Road over Little River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.