US Bridges

Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek

Fair

Prince William County, Virginia · 1.4KM S of Russell Road · Structure no. 2VA5151

Built
1968
57 years old, rebuilt 2006
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
180 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,000
2015 count
Owner
Federal
Navy / Marines

About this bridge

Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek in Prince William County, Virginia. It was built in 1968 and reconstructed in 2006, so it is 57 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 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,500 by 2043. The structure is 180 ft (54.8 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBauer Road
CrossesChopawamsic Creek
Location1.4KM S of Russell Road
CountyPrince William County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.49933, -77.31036
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating88.6 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length180 ft (54.8 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2015)
Projected traffic2,500 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerNavy / Marines
Maintained byNavy / Marines
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$44,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2006.

What condition is Bauer Road over Chopawamsic 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek?

The structure is 180 ft (54.8 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Bauer Road over Chopawamsic Creek?

It is owned by the Navy / Marines.