US Bridges

Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River

Fair

Rappahannock County, Virginia · .78 FR 619 & .65 to 729 · Structure no. 000000000014696

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
208 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
339
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River in Rappahannock County, Virginia. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 339 vehicles a day, projected to reach 383 by 2042. The structure is 208 ft (63.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

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CarriesLaurel Mills Road
CrossesThornton River
Location.78 FR 619 & .65 to 729
RouteCounty Highway 618
CountyRappahannock County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.6484, -78.08749
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating85 US tons
Inventory rating66 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length208 ft (63.4 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic339 (2019)
Projected traffic383 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Laurel Mills Road over Thornton 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 2024.

How much traffic does Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River carry?

About 339 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River?

The structure is 208 ft (63.4 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Laurel Mills Road over Thornton River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.