US Bridges

James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch

Fair

Prince William County, Virginia · 0.02FR615/2.92TO620 · Structure no. 000000000014175

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
14,838
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch is a concrete slab carrying James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch in Prince William County, Virginia. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 1992, so it is 90 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 14,838 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,869 by 2042. The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 34.8 mi (56 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesJames Madison Hwy.
CrossesBlack Branch
Location0.02FR615/2.92TO620
RouteU.S. Route 15
CountyPrince William County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.91274, -77.62825
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 inspectionJune 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating53.2 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.2 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.5 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.4 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14,838 (2022)
Projected traffic18,869 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed34.8 mi (56 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$175 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch carry?

About 14,838 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch?

The structure is 24 ft (7.2 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.5 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns James Madison Hwy. over Black Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.