US Bridges

River Road over Rockfish River

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 0.11-RT. 29/5.65-RT. 151 · Structure no. 000000000012383

Built
1949
76 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
204 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,943
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Rockfish River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying River Road over Rockfish River in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1949, so it is 76 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 3,943 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,757 by 2045. The structure is 204 ft (62.1 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesRockfish River
Location0.11-RT. 29/5.65-RT. 151
RouteState Highway 6
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.84657, -78.82162
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length204 ft (62.1 m)
Longest span98 ft (29.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,943 (2022)
Projected traffic5,757 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$180.6 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over Rockfish River built?

It was built in 1949, making it 76 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Rockfish 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does River Road over Rockfish River carry?

About 3,943 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Rockfish River?

The structure is 204 ft (62.1 m) long with a longest span of 98 ft (29.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Rockfish River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.