US Bridges

Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @

Fair

Mathews County, Virginia · Mathews-Middlesex C. Line · Structure no. 000000000011833

Built
1953
72 years old, rebuilt 2014
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
2,092 ft
30 main spans
Daily traffic
7,161
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @ is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @ in Mathews County, Virginia. It was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 2014, so it is 72 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 7,161 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,042 by 2042. The structure is 2,092 ft (637.6 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.7 mi (43 km).

Location

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CarriesTwiggs Ferry Road
CrossesPiankatank River @
LocationMathews-Middlesex C. Line
RouteState Highway 3
CountyMathews County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.50736, -76.41988
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionJuly 2024
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.5 US tons
Inventory rating33.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans30
Design loadHS 20
Structure length2,092 ft (637.6 m)
Longest span101 ft (30.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,161 (2022)
Projected traffic9,042 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.7 mi (43 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$120 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @ built?

It was built in 1953, making it 72 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2014.

What condition is Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @ carry?

About 7,161 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @?

The structure is 2,092 ft (637.6 m) long with a longest span of 101 ft (30.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Twiggs Ferry Road over Piankatank River @?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.