US Bridges

I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST

Fair

Shelby County, Tennessee · 0.5 MI E of SR300 JCT · Structure no. 79I00400070

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Concrete Continuous
Length
199 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
103,151
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST is a concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST in Shelby County, Tennessee. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 years old, younger 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 103,151 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 165,042 by 2042. The structure is 199 ft (60.8 m) long and 74 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 0.6 mi (1 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI40-LL
CrossesI-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST
Location0.5 MI E of SR300 JCT
RouteInterstate 40
CountyShelby County
StateTennessee
Coordinates35.19203, -90.00825
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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53.2 US tons
Inventory rating33.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length199 ft (60.8 m)
Longest span107 ft (32.5 m)
Deck width74 ft (22.6 m)
Roadway width72 ft (21.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic103,151 (2021)
Projected traffic165,042 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed0.6 mi (1 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-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST 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-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST carry?

About 103,151 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST?

The structure is 199 ft (60.8 m) long with a longest span of 107 ft (32.5 m) and a deck 74 ft wide.

Who owns I40-LL over I-40 W.B. / N Watkins ST?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.