US Bridges

Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek

Fair

Mecklenburg County, Virginia · .92 FR Nc & 3.49 to 903 · Structure no. 000000000011909

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
13,632
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 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 13,632 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,108 by 2042. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 57 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesRoute I-85 Nbl
CrossesSmith Creek
Location.92 FR Nc & 3.49 to 903
RouteInterstate 85
Coordinates36.55696, -78.18057
Functional classRural 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width57 ft (17.3 m)
Roadway width54 ft (16.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,632 (2022)
Projected traffic14,108 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek carry?

About 13,632 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 57 ft wide.

Who owns Route I-85 Nbl over Smith Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.