US Bridges

Rapidan Road over Rapidan River

Fair

Orange County, Virginia · Orange/Culpeper Co. Line · Structure no. 000000000012975

Built
1966
59 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
427 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
1,136
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rapidan Road over Rapidan River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rapidan Road over Rapidan River in Orange 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 5 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 1,136 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,476 by 2045. The structure is 427 ft (130.1 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRapidan Road
CrossesRapidan River
LocationOrange/Culpeper Co. Line
RouteCounty Highway 615
CountyOrange County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.31036, -78.06571
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating80 US tons
Inventory rating61.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length427 ft (130.1 m)
Longest span86 ft (26.2 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,136 (2022)
Projected traffic1,476 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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 Rapidan Road over Rapidan River built?

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

What condition is Rapidan Road over Rapidan 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Rapidan Road over Rapidan River carry?

About 1,136 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Rapidan Road over Rapidan River?

The structure is 427 ft (130.1 m) long with a longest span of 86 ft (26.2 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Rapidan Road over Rapidan River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.