US Bridges

Moon Road over Hughes River

PoorPosted for load

Madison County, Virginia · .05 FR 707&.05 to Rapp CO · Structure no. 000000000011822

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
18
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Moon Road over Hughes River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Moon Road over Hughes River in Madison County, Virginia. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 years old, older 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: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 18 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2045. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesMoon Road
CrossesHughes River
Location.05 FR 707&.05 to Rapp CO
RouteCounty Highway 749
CountyMadison County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.56884, -78.27419
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating18 US tons
Inventory rating10 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18 (2020)
Projected traffic20 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 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 Moon Road over Hughes River built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is Moon Road over Hughes 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Moon Road over Hughes River carry?

About 18 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Moon Road over Hughes River?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Moon Road over Hughes River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.