US Bridges

I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street

Fair

Knox County, Tennessee · In Knoxville · Structure no. 47I00400053

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 1981
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
143 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
139,697
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street is a concrete tee beam carrying I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street in Knox County, Tennessee. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 1981, so it is 60 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 139,697 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 223,515 by 2042. The structure is 143 ft (43.6 m) long and 84 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesI40 Rl
CrossesI40-RL / 17th. Street
LocationIn Knoxville
RouteInterstate 40
Coordinates35.9638, -83.93657
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 inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98.2 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length143 ft (43.6 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width84 ft (25.6 m)
Roadway width82 ft (25 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic139,697 (2021)
Projected traffic223,515 by 2042
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure5
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
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 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1981.

What condition is I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street carry?

About 139,697 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street?

The structure is 143 ft (43.6 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 84 ft wide.

Who owns I40 Rl over I40-RL / 17th. Street?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.