US Bridges

I-81 Sbl over NS Railway

Fair

Rockingham County, Virginia · 1.06 Rt 11 - 1.55 Rt 253 · Structure no. 000000000020450

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 1983
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
202 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
28,820
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Sbl over NS Railway is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-81 Sbl over NS Railway in Rockingham County, Virginia. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 1983, so it is 66 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 28,820 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 38,698 by 2045. The structure is 202 ft (61.5 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesI-81 Sbl
CrossesNS Railway
Location1.06 Rt 11 - 1.55 Rt 253
RouteInterstate 81
CountyRockingham County
StateVirginia
Coordinates38.41178, -78.89285
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 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 geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating95 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length202 ft (61.5 m)
Longest span66 ft (20.2 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width42 ft (12.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,820 (2022)
Projected traffic38,698 by 2045
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Sbl over NS Railway built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1983.

What condition is I-81 Sbl over NS 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 June 2023.

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

About 28,820 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Sbl over NS Railway?

The structure is 202 ft (61.5 m) long with a longest span of 66 ft (20.2 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Sbl over NS Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.