US Bridges

Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · .40M to 11 & .00M to F039 · Structure no. 000000000019732

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
267 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
118
2017 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81 in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1963, 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 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 118 vehicles a day, projected to reach 184 by 2042. The structure is 267 ft (81.4 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesBishop Thomas LN
CrossesInterstate 81
Location.40M to 11 & .00M to F039
RouteCounty Highway 663
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.93592, -81.16653
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadH 15
Structure length267 ft (81.4 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic118 (2017)
Projected traffic184 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$156 million (2018 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81 built?

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

What condition is Bishop Thomas LN 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81 carry?

About 118 vehicles per day (2017 count).

How long is Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81?

The structure is 267 ft (81.4 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Bishop Thomas LN over Interstate 81?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.