US Bridges

Howardsville Rd. over James River

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 0.00-BUCK CL/0.00-NEL Cl · Structure no. 000000000004040

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
947 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
304
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Howardsville Rd. over James River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Howardsville Rd. over James River in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 304 vehicles a day, projected to reach 456 by 2042. The structure is 947 ft (288.5 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.7 mi (43 km).

Location

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CarriesHowardsville Rd.
CrossesJames River
Location0.00-BUCK CL/0.00-NEL Cl
RouteCounty Highway 602
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.7315, -78.64603
Functional classRural Local

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.
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 inspectionNovember 2023
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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.1 US tons
Inventory rating59 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadUnknown
Structure length947 ft (288.5 m)
Longest span119 ft (36.3 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.2 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic304 (2020)
Projected traffic456 by 2042
Trucks0%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Howardsville Rd. over James River built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Howardsville Rd. over James 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Howardsville Rd. over James River carry?

About 304 vehicles per day (2020 count).

How long is Howardsville Rd. over James River?

The structure is 947 ft (288.5 m) long with a longest span of 119 ft (36.3 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Howardsville Rd. over James River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.