US Bridges

Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River

Fair

Nelson County, Virginia · 0.15-RT.6 N / 3.80-RT.6 S · Structure no. 000000000012396

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
406 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
6,313
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River in Nelson County, Virginia. It was built in 1966, so it is 59 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 6,313 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,217 by 2045. The structure is 406 ft (123.7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesThm Nelson HWY Nbl
CrossesRockfish River
Location0.15-RT.6 N / 3.80-RT.6 S
RouteU.S. Route 29
CountyNelson County
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.84553, -78.82026
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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 inspectionMay 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating55 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadUnknown
Structure length406 ft (123.7 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.6 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width33 ft (10 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,313 (2022)
Projected traffic9,217 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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$339.3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River built?

It was built in 1966, making it 59 years old in 2025.

What condition is Thm Nelson HWY Nbl 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River carry?

About 6,313 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River?

The structure is 406 ft (123.7 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.6 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Thm Nelson HWY Nbl over Rockfish River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.