US Bridges

I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road

Fair

Washington County, Virginia · 1.91-RT.11; 2.58-RT.11 · Structure no. 000000000024039

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
172 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
54,000
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road in Washington County, Virginia. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger 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 54,000 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 57,532 by 2045. The structure is 172 ft (52.5 m) long and 115 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesI-81 Sbl & Nbl
CrossesOld Airport Road
Location1.91-RT.11; 2.58-RT.11
RouteInterstate 81
CountyWashington County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.63012, -82.12181
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating52 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length172 ft (52.5 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width115 ft (35.2 m)
Roadway width54 ft (16.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic54,000 (2022)
Projected traffic57,532 by 2045
Trucks23%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$344 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road carry?

About 54,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road?

The structure is 172 ft (52.5 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 115 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Sbl & Nbl over Old Airport Road?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.