US Bridges

Saffold Road over Meherrin River

FairPosted for load

Lunenburg County, Virginia · 0000MECKBG CO0000LUNEBG C · Structure no. 000000000011980

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
224 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
446
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saffold Road over Meherrin River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Saffold Road over Meherrin River in Lunenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 446 vehicles a day, projected to reach 497 by 2045. The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSaffold Road
CrossesMeherrin River
Location0000MECKBG CO0000LUNEBG C
RouteCounty Highway 635
CountyLunenburg County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.80517, -78.21269
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.8 US tons
Inventory rating22.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length224 ft (68.3 m)
Longest span85 ft (25.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.2 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic446 (2022)
Projected traffic497 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.8 mi (27 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 Saffold Road over Meherrin River built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Saffold Road over Meherrin 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Saffold Road over Meherrin River carry?

About 446 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Saffold Road over Meherrin River?

The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long with a longest span of 85 ft (25.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Saffold Road over Meherrin River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.