US Bridges

Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street

Fair

District of Columbia, District of Columbia · S Capitol ST & SW Fre · Structure no. 1104(RAMP C)

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
570 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
22,000
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street in District of Columbia, District of Columbia. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 61 years old, younger than the District of Columbia average of 63.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 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 22,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,000 by 2028. The structure is 570 ft (173.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesSouthwest Freeway
CrossesSouth Capitol Street
LocationS Capitol ST & SW Fre
RouteInterstate 695
Coordinates38.88125, -77.00843
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length570 ft (173.7 m)
Longest span200 ft (61 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic22,000 (2018)
Projected traffic22,000 by 2028
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street carry?

About 22,000 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street?

The structure is 570 ft (173.7 m) long with a longest span of 200 ft (61 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.