US Bridges

I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave.

Fair

Shelby County, Tennessee · 1.5 MI N of I40-I240 JCT · Structure no. 79I00400047

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1976
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
180 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
105,573
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave. is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave. in Shelby County, Tennessee. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1976, so it is 61 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 105,573 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 168,917 by 2042. The structure is 180 ft (55 m) long and 114 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

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CarriesI40
CrossesI-40 / Chelsea Ave.
Location1.5 MI N of I40-I240 JCT
RouteInterstate 40
CountyShelby County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.17033, -90.01825
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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating65.5 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length180 ft (55 m)
Longest span106 ft (32.2 m)
Deck width114 ft (34.7 m)
Roadway width112 ft (34.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic105,573 (2021)
Projected traffic168,917 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$4.6 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave. built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1976.

What condition is I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave. 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave. carry?

About 105,573 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave.?

The structure is 180 ft (55 m) long with a longest span of 106 ft (32.2 m) and a deck 114 ft wide.

Who owns I40 over I-40 / Chelsea Ave.?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.