The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed the Tapps Ford Bridge on Route 645 on the Fauquier-Rappahannock county line due to damage from overweight vehicles and severe corrosion.
During a scheduled safety inspection VDOT crews discovered severe corrosion and metal fatigue. The inspectors also noted damage from overweight trucks, and while inspecting the bridge actually turned away several more overweigh trucks. Just recently, the weight limit on the bridge was reduced from seven tons to three tons. VDOT statistics show, on average, 160 vehicles use Rt. 645 daily.
According to Garrett Moore, Warrenton resident engineer for VDOT, the bridge is in VDOT’s road improvement plan, but construction is not schedule for at least six more years. A new bridge would cost an estimated $2-3 million dollars.
“We’re looking at several options right now, from a long-term closure, or small, temporary repairs, or a major overhaul that might increase its lifespan by up to 10 more years,” said Moore.
He noted that the only good news is that the recently completed Rt. 688 bridge has been raised high enough that it should remain open during major storms. Previous, the Tapps Ford Bridge was known as the high-water bridge during minor flooding.
According to VDOT, the metal truss bridge was built in 1882 and was moved to Rappahannock River crossing at the Fauquier/Rappahannock county line from the Madison Mills area of Madison County.
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Page last modified: May 14, 2004