US Bridges

North Poes Road over Jordan River

PoorPosted for load

Rappahannock County, Virginia · 6.20 FR 522 & .40 to 647 · Structure no. 000000000014738

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
80 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
73
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Poes Road over Jordan River is a steel truss - thru carrying North Poes Road over Jordan River in Rappahannock County, Virginia. It was built in 1935, 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 73 vehicles a day, projected to reach 82 by 2045. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 12 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

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CarriesNorth Poes Road
CrossesJordan River
Location6.20 FR 522 & .40 to 647
RouteCounty Highway 637
CountyRappahannock County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.76232, -78.03443
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating16 US tons
Inventory rating9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width12 ft (3.7 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic73 (2019)
Projected traffic82 by 2045
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$290 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was North Poes Road over Jordan River built?

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

What condition is North Poes Road over Jordan River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in July 2024.

How much traffic does North Poes Road over Jordan River carry?

About 73 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is North Poes Road over Jordan River?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 12 ft wide.

Who owns North Poes Road over Jordan River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.