US Bridges

I40 over Earhart Road

Fair

Davidson County, Tennessee · In Nashville · Structure no. 19I00400145

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
141 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
78,455
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40 over Earhart Road is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying I40 over Earhart Road in Davidson County, Tennessee. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 1997, so it is 65 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 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 78,455 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 147,555 by 2042. The structure is 141 ft (43 m) long and 142 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesI40
CrossesEarhart Road
LocationIn Nashville
RouteInterstate I0040
Coordinates36.16876, -86.57137
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating77.4 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length141 ft (43 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.1 m)
Deck width142 ft (43.2 m)
Roadway width140 ft (42.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic78,455 (2021)
Projected traffic147,555 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I40 over Earhart Road built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is I40 over Earhart Road 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 2024.

How much traffic does I40 over Earhart Road carry?

About 78,455 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is I40 over Earhart Road?

The structure is 141 ft (43 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.1 m) and a deck 142 ft wide.

Who owns I40 over Earhart Road?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.