There are more than 230 million licensed drivers in the U.S. They cross nearly 620,000 bridges on a regular basis. That's a lot of wear and tear.
Data compiled by the Federal Highway Association and analyzed by a trade association for transportation builders shows that just under 7% of the nation's bridges are considered "structurally deficient."
So it's no surprise that infrastructure is often cited as one of the major areas of concern facing the country. Nearly three-quarters of Americans told the Pew Research Center in 2021 that the condition of America's roads and bridges was a "very big" or "moderately big" problem.
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In light of that, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law in November 2021, setting aside $110 billion to repair and replace bridges and roadways — including nearly $540 million for Virginia projects over a five-year span, $18 million of which is going to replace the bridge that carries Arthur Ashe Boulevard over railroad tracks near The Diamond.
On average, the commonwealth's bridges are in relatively good condition.
Of Virginia's 14,042 bridges, 501 are considered structurally deficient, a 3.6% rate that is one of the 10 lowest among the 50 states and District of Columbia. On top of that, conditions are improving; there were nearly 150 more bridges graded as deficient in 2018 than in 2022.
But that does not mean that every bridge is in brand-new shape. Of the 20 most-traveled structurally deficient bridges in Virginia, six are in the Richmond area:
I-95, crossing over Route 608/Reymet Road (Chesterfield County)
Year built: 1958
Crossings per day (2020): 98,000
I-195, crossing over Route 197/Westwood Avenue and CSX rail tracks (Henrico County)
Year built: 1974
Crossings per day (2020): 61,400
I-64, crossing over Stony Run (Henrico)
Year built: 1965
Crossings per day (2020): 56,700
East Broad Street, crossing over I-95 (Richmond)
Year built: 1958
Crossings per day (2020): 28,100
East Broad Street, crossing over abandoned CSX spur line (Richmond)
Year built: 1909
Crossings per day (2020): 28,100
Ramp from I-64 to Fifth Street and I-95 South, crossing over I-95 (Richmond)
Year built: 1958
Crossings per day (2020): 23,600
What does that mean for everyday drivers in the Richmond area?
The Richmond Times-Dispatch spoke to the Virginia Department of Transportation engineer who oversees bridges in the Richmond district to find out.
Inspections every two years
Calling a bridge structurally deficient does not mean that it's unsafe for daily driving, VDOT engineer Craig Ponte said.
VDOT conducts "hands-on inspections" of bridges every 24 months, with a focus on three major components: the deck, which the surface that cars actually drive on; the superstructure, made up of the horizontal beams and other elements that bear the weight placed on the deck; and the substructure, foundational elements like columns and abutments that connect a bridge to the ground below.
Those components are rated on a scale from 0 to 9 at each inspection. If any of the major components is rated 4 or below, it is deemed to be in poor condition, which automatically flags that bridge for inspection every 12 months and places it on a priority list for repair or replacement, according to Ponte.
But only ratings of 3 or below indicate a risk of component failure, according to VDOT's grading standards, and a component must be rated a 2 before the guidelines suggest closing a bridge.
FHWA data shows that just five of the 14,042 bridges in Virginia were rated 2 or worse for any of the three key components in the most recently released data, gathered in 2021, and only one of those was in the Richmond area: the St. Andrews Street Bridge in Petersburg, which reopened in November after being closed for 15 years.
That's part of the reason VDOT is phasing out the "structurally deficient" terminology in favor of simply calling bridges poor, Ponte said. It connotes a risk of imminent collapse that, in many cases, just isn't there.
Ponte told The Times-Dispatch that when concerns arise about the amount of weight that a bridge can support, VDOT lowers the top allowable weight on that bridge — preventing the heaviest trucks from crossing — before taking measures that could affect everyday drivers.
What's on the docket?
Bridges built under old design standards typically last about 30 years before they start to need repairs, Ponte said. Much of the deterioration in that time period is caused by water and the salts used to de-ice roads during winter weather conditions seeping into bridge components through the joints — gaps where the ends of bridges meet ground level, which exist to accommodate thermal expansion or contraction of bridge materials.
But VDOT is using new jointless design methods for all new construction, and even some current repair projects, that will more than double the life of Virginia's bridges.
"The design life for new bridges is 75 years," Ponte said. "It's pretty cool."
The heavier the traffic on the bridge, the higher priority it's given for repairs. Ponte said VDOT aims for a maximum window of six years before a bridge gets the repairs it needs — a figure that varies based on the level of funding available to the agency — but that at the top, things "can move pretty quickly, with (as little as) a couple of years before repairs are complete."
Some of the poorly-rated bridges in the Richmond area are already being worked on.
The I-95 bridge over Reymet Road, which was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 1990, is currently under construction, according to VDOT. The superstructure is being replaced, and the project will also add a few inches to the vertical clearance under the bridge to account for taller vehicles.
A "megaproject" to rehabilitate several bridges over I-95 in downtown Richmond is underway as well, and Ponte said plans to rehabilitate the Cary Street and Grove Street bridges over I-195 are currently in the design phase.
'Easier to weather'
The state of bridges impacts more than daily commutes, family drives and road trips. It has a direct impact on the economy and businesses.
Ari Augenbaum, executive chef and co-owner of JewFro, a Jewish African fusion restaurant in Shockoe Bottom just a few blocks from where Broad Street crosses over I-95, has spent plenty of time thinking about local construction and development projects. But he isn't particularly worried about a future bridge construction project having major negative effects for the restaurant.
"We're more of a destination restaurant," Augenbaum said. "So people are seeking us out, which makes it easier to weather things like that."
However, that feeling doesn't necessarily extend to the other restaurants he co-owns, like the North 2nd Street location of Soul Taco, which transitioned into Sear Burger in late 2022.
It was "exponentially more difficult" to keep business strong through construction in Jackson Ward, Augenbaum said, and that location also faced significant obstacles from the ongoing saga surrounding the redevelopment of the Richmond Coliseum area.
But Augenbaum said that was a natural risk of committing to a location based on the expectation that one of the city's signature development plans was going to move forward quickly — a risk that has touched JewFro as well. Coffee and happy hour concepts designed around a planned expansion of Richmond-to-Washington commuter rail transit out of Main Street Station have yet to get off the ground at the Shockoe Bottom restaurant.
Other organizations located near poorly-rated bridges say that there could be some impact if there were to be significant construction projects nearby, but also believed that such projects would not cause a major hit to day-to-day operations.
PARK365, an inclusive park located off of Westwood Avenue near the I-195 crossing, accommodates many patrons with disabilities or sensory issues that might be adversely affected by the commotion of a major construction project. Andrea Siebentritt, communications and public relations manager for the park's nonprofit parent organization, SOAR365, said that the group would have to consider creative ways to mitigate noise pollution and other negative effects, but that construction on the bridge would not cut off access to the park.
Ponte said that VDOT generally replaces bridges in stages in order to keep traffic patterns as unaffected as possible. But concerns that local business owners have about the impact of construction projects are something that VDOT thinks about on a broader scale, rather than considering the effect on individual businesses.
"That's kind of outside of my area of expertise," he said. "But when we're setting up these design projects, we do want to keep traffic (moving) through the area."
31 photos from The Times-Dispatch archives
Cloverleaf Mall
In November 1972, the Sears store in Cloverleaf Mall featured new coat and dress styles as well as furs. The Chesterfield County mall opened in August of that year; it closed in 2008, and the building was demolished in 2011.
VA State Capitol
In March 1974 at the state Capitol, Virginia first lady Katherine Godwin (second from right) unveiled a painting of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The work, by Jack Clifton (front), was presented by the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution. Assisting Godwin were state Sen. Edward E. Willey Sr. of Richmond and DAR official Mrs. John S. Biscoe.
Broad St.
In April 1966, Mrs. Arch Clegg inspected newly planted flowers on a median along Broad Street in Richmond. Two varieties of holly and more than 1,000 petunias were being planted on Broad that week between Adams and Eighth streets. The displays, sponsored by Downtown Retail Associates, were to stay in the planters until fall.
Air Force Women
In August 1952, WAC-WAF recruiting officer Lt. Eileen M. Toomey swore in four newcomers to the Women in the Air Force program. Taking the oath (left to right) were Vida M. Burton of West Virginia and Richmonders Doris Cannon Davis, Mary Lou Keck and Joyce Dodson.
Country Club of Virginia
In July 1953, tennis players Cliff Miller (from left), Al Dickinson and Bob Figg Sr. discussed the Country Club of Virginia’s annual tennis competition, which began the day before. Only Dickinson survived the first day of the competition.
Folk Dancing
In April 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Lee demonstrated the steps for classmates H.G. Shaw and W.W. Foster in a local folk dancing class.
The Diamond
In April 1985, Cammie Joyce, a daughter of Dr. William H. Parker for whom the former Parker Field was named, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the new Diamond on opening night for the Richmond Braves. The new baseball stadium on the Boulevard replaced Parker Field.
Monroe Park
In May 1969, an informal folk gathering brought a crowd to Monroe Park in Richmond. Composer Dan Riddick and a group of guitarists from Washington performed; guests were asked to bring toys and clothing for needy residents in Washington.
Broad St.
In June 1947, Richmond officials put up warning signs near the city limits on West Broad Street to limit speeding, which was a top traffic concern at the time.
Westhamtpon School
In September 1961, students entered Westhampton School in Richmond. That fall, Daisy Jane Cooper became the first African-American student to integrate the junior high school; the following year, she made similar history at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Piccadilly Cafeteria
In August 1972, William A. Richards, president of the Piccadilly Cafeteria chain, donned a chef’s cap and apron for a restaurant opening in the new Cloverleaf Mall in Chesterfield County. It was the second Piccadilly in the state; the first was in Norfolk.
Jackson Ward Reunion
In July 1979, Shirley McCoy performed a gospel number at a Jackson Ward reunion. The gathering at the Empire Theater brought together several hundred former residents and business owners of the Richmond neighborhood for a night of performances and community recognition.
Hull St. Station
In October 1982, Hull Street Station in South Richmond was vacant and boarded-up — the last regular passenger train to Danville had left 25 years earlier. The Southern Railway donated the station to the Old Dominion chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, which planned to convert the space into a museum and library. Today it houses the Richmond Railroad Museum.
Richmond Day
In May 1953, shoppers crowded downtown streets for Richmond Day, a promotion that began the year before. Like Black Friday, the event lured shoppers to stores with deals, such as $1 televisions, 2-for-1 car deals and $1 dresses. Merchants reported strong sales.
Dogwood Dell
In August 1965, the All American Touring Band and Chorus performed the finale at the Festival of Arts in Richmond’s Dogwood Dell. The ninth annual festival, sponsored by Federated Arts of Richmond Inc. and coordinated by the city parks department, lured about 52,000 people to 13 concerts and eight stage productions during the summer.
VCU Gym
In October 1989, two Virginia Commonwealth University students played racquetball in the school’s new gymnasium on Cary Street in Richmond. The brick building with glass cupola had been a farmers market in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and then became the City Auditorium, which hosted conventions and other events.
Noldes Bread
In July 1967, members of the Nolde family — Henry (from left), George, Carl and Arthur — watched bread roll off the assembly line at the Nolde Bros. Bakery in Church Hill in Richmond. Their relatives started a small baking operation in the 1890s, and by 1950, three area Nolde plants produced almost a million loaves per week to be sold nationally. Nolde closed in 1977.
Jackson Ward
In October 1986, preservationist and author Jim DuPriest led a tour of Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood for 45 students from Luther Memorial School. The school was founded by German immigrants in 1856 at a time when the neighborhood had a notable German population; Jackson Ward later became one of the nation’s leading African-American communities.
Central State Hospital
In August 1969, airmen John McGinnis (center) and Ronald McGurn entertained a deaf youth at Central State Hospital near Petersburg. They were two of several servicemen from nearby Fort Lee who volunteered regularly at the hospital’s children’s unit. McGinnis, once a manager at a supermarket that employed several deaf workers, knew sign language and was teaching it to youths as well as McGurn.
Reynolds Metals
In June 1958, Reynolds Metals Co. employees Ethel Blue (left) and Bonnie Foy enjoyed some sun at the company’s new office space in Henrico County. The $10 million complex sprawled over 40 acres on a 160-acre property. Reynolds spent more than $150,000 on landscaping, including more than 10,000 trees, shrubs and plants as well as a greenhouse that supplied fresh flowers for the building.
Richmond Symphony
In April 1972, Mrs. Peter B. Bahler (left) and Mrs. Jay J. Levit showed off “Vive la Symphonie” buttons that were given to season ticket subscribers for the Richmond Symphony’s upcoming concert season, which would have an international flavor and be led by French conductor Jacques Houtmann. Bahler designed the blue, white and red buttons; Levit led the season ticket campaign.
Mooer's Field
In April 1949, Richmond Mayor W. Stirling King threw out the first pitch at the Richmond Colts home opener at Mooers Field. At right, wearing the new home uniform, is Colts manager Vinnie Smith. At left is Ray Schalk, manager of the Newport News Dodgers. The Colts won the Piedmont League game 6-5.
South Side Health Center
In September 1950, ground was broken for the South Richmond Health Center at 14th and Bainbridge streets. Members of the Richmond public health community and South Richmond Community Nursing Service participated in the ceremony. The clinic, which opened in January 1952, was staffed by volunteer nurses.
Remote Controlled Cars
In March 1983, Tommy Ferguson prepared his entry for a race hosted by the Richmond Radio-Controlled Car Racing Club. Nearly 30 cars raced on a small-scale 275-foot asphalt track, buzzing around at nearly 40 mph for an audience of more than 200 people in the parking lot behind Valle’s restaurant.
Mail box
In June 1949, Carl A. Throckmorton (left) showed Richmond Postmaster Fergus McRee one of the 100 new mailboxes that would be installed at city street corners. The additions would bring the total number of receptacles to about 680, meaning no city resident would have to walk more than three blocks to deposit a letter.
YWCA
In May 1968, Andrea Queen and Betty Tenser attended a class sponsored by the Richmond YWCA to learn about basic auto mechanics, maintenance and on-the-road repairs. Their instructor was Bill Ferguson of Ferguson’s Garage.
Sobles
In October 1977, Bruce Buhrman (left) and Paul Soble stood in front of their soon-to-be restaurant, Soble’s, in Richmond’s Fan District. The building previously housed Cavedo’s Drug Store, which opened in 1916 when the area was sparsely settled. Soble had been a physical education teacher at Tuckahoe Junior High School but resigned so that he and Buhrman, who had tended bar together, could develop the restaurant.
Salt
In February 1966, a front-end loader moved a new batch of salt that would be used to melt snow on Richmond streets. The stockpile, which had been severely depleted during the first part of winter, was kept at a railroad trestle in the Public Works Department area near Parker Field.
O.K. Foundry
In April 1954, P.R. Webb, a worker at the O.K. Foundry, loaded small castings into a cleaning machine at the company’s new location at 1005 E. Ninth St. in Richmond. Established in 1913, the foundry made machine castings for the tobacco, paper and agricultural industries.
Mailboxes
In October 1951, Mrs. R.L. Mattox showed off the unique mailbox at her home in Prince George County. The mailbox post was made using an old log cabin chain and required an hour’s worth of welding. Mattox and her husband were inspired by a design they saw in a magazine.
