US Bridges

Lee Highway over Interstate 81

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 0.04 FR 660;.05 to 660 · Structure no. 000000000017384

Built
1962
63 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
212 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
3,300
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lee Highway over Interstate 81 is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lee Highway over Interstate 81 in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1962 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 63 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 3,300 vehicles a day, projected to reach 3,680 by 2042. The structure is 212 ft (64.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesLee Highway
CrossesInterstate 81
Location0.04 FR 660;.05 to 660
RouteU.S. Route 11
CountySmyth County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.81112, -81.57445
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 15
Structure length212 ft (64.7 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,300 (2022)
Projected traffic3,680 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$162.5 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Lee Highway over Interstate 81 built?

It was built in 1962, making it 63 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Lee Highway over Interstate 81 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Lee Highway over Interstate 81 carry?

About 3,300 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is Lee Highway over Interstate 81?

The structure is 212 ft (64.7 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Lee Highway over Interstate 81?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.