US Bridges

Water Street over Thornton River

Fair

Rappahannock County, Virginia · .45 FR 1003 & .20 to 522 · Structure no. 000000000014772

Built
1940
85 years old, rebuilt 2004
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
75 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
108
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Water Street over Thornton River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Water Street over Thornton River in Rappahannock County, Virginia. It was built in 1940 and reconstructed in 2004, so it is 85 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 108 vehicles a day, projected to reach 120 by 2042. The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWater Street
CrossesThornton River
Location.45 FR 1003 & .20 to 522
RouteCounty Highway 1002
CountyRappahannock County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.65759, -78.22237
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (22.9 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.3 m)
Deck width13 ft (4 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic108 (2022)
Projected traffic120 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$3 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Water Street over Thornton River built?

It was built in 1940, making it 85 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2004.

What condition is Water Street 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Water Street over Thornton River carry?

About 108 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Water Street over Thornton River?

The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.3 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Water Street over Thornton River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.