US Bridges

Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek

FairPosted for load

Prince William County, Virginia · 0.21 FR 731 & 0.30 to 680 · Structure no. 000000000014292

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,475
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek in Prince William County, Virginia. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1,475 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,154 by 2042. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesWaterfall Road
CrossesCatharpin Creek
Location0.21 FR 731 & 0.30 to 680
RouteCounty Highway 601
CountyPrince William County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.86203, -77.6672
Functional classUrban 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43.7 US tons
Inventory rating33.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,475 (2022)
Projected traffic2,154 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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$300 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek carry?

About 1,475 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Waterfall Road over Catharpin Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.