US Bridges

I-81 Nbl over Route 90

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · 2.15MTO682 & 7.05MTO11 · Structure no. 000000000019604

Built
1963
62 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
118 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
16,245
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Nbl over Route 90 is a concrete tee beam carrying I-81 Nbl over Route 90 in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1963 and reconstructed in 1990, 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 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 16,245 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 17,266 by 2042. The structure is 118 ft (36 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-81 Nbl
CrossesRoute 90
Location2.15MTO682 & 7.05MTO11
RouteInterstate 81
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.91586, -81.27344
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionApril 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 rating59 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length118 ft (36 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width42 ft (12.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,245 (2022)
Projected traffic17,266 by 2042
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$910 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Nbl over Route 90 built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is I-81 Nbl over Route 90 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 I-81 Nbl over Route 90 carry?

About 16,245 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Nbl over Route 90?

The structure is 118 ft (36 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Nbl over Route 90?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.