US Bridges

Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street

Fair

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

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
138 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
11,000
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street is a steel girder and floorbeam system 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 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 11,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 30,000 by 2027. The structure is 138 ft (42 m) long and 28 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
Coordinates38.88203, -77.00967
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating92 US tons
Inventory rating55 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length138 ft (42 m)
Longest span84 ft (25.6 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck18 ft (5.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,000 (2018)
Projected traffic30,000 by 2027
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
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 August 2024.

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

About 11,000 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street?

The structure is 138 ft (42 m) long with a longest span of 84 ft (25.6 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Southwest Freeway over South Capitol Street?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.