US Bridges

I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway

Fair

Frederick County, Virginia · 0.30 T0 11 - 3.31 to 672 · Structure no. 000000000008124

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
191 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
28,672
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway in Frederick County, Virginia. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 years old, older than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 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 28,672 vehicles a day, roughly 28% of them trucks, projected to reach 31,890 by 2045. The structure is 191 ft (58.2 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesI-81 Sbl
CrossesW & W Railway
Location0.30 T0 11 - 3.31 to 672
RouteInterstate 81
CountyFrederick County
StateVirginia
Coordinates39.22067, -78.13861
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 23 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating91.1 US tons
Inventory rating70 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length191 ft (58.2 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width52 ft (15.8 m)
Roadway width50 ft (15.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,672 (2022)
Projected traffic31,890 by 2045
Trucks28%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$751 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway built?

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

What condition is I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway 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 2025.

How much traffic does I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway carry?

About 28,672 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 28% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway?

The structure is 191 ft (58.2 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Sbl over W & W Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.