US Bridges

I-81 Sbl over Route 683

Fair

Smyth County, Virginia · 7.05 to R11&2.6 to Wyth L · Structure no. 000000000017476

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1982
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
119 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
15,284
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Sbl over Route 683 is a concrete tee beam carrying I-81 Sbl over Route 683 in Smyth County, Virginia. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1982, 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 15,284 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,042 by 2042. The structure is 119 ft (36.2 m) long and 44 ft wide.

CarriesI-81 Sbl
CrossesRoute 683
Location7.05 to R11&2.6 to Wyth L
RouteInterstate 81
Coordinates36.88864, -81.37159
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.
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 inspectionMarch 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 geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating65 US tons
Inventory rating50 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length119 ft (36.2 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width42 ft (12.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,284 (2022)
Projected traffic17,042 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed—
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$146.9 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Sbl over Route 683 built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1982.

What condition is I-81 Sbl over Route 683 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does I-81 Sbl over Route 683 carry?

About 15,284 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Sbl over Route 683?

The structure is 119 ft (36.2 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Sbl over Route 683?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.