US Bridges

Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77

Good

Wythe County, Virginia · .02MTOF042&.01M to F043 · Structure no. 000000000022354

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Good
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
235 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,700
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77 in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger than the Virginia average of 50.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,700 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,150 by 2042. The structure is 235 ft (71.6 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesLovers Lane
CrossesI-81 / I-77
Location.02MTOF042&.01M to F043
RouteCity Street 0
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.94586, -81.04789
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating63.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length235 ft (71.6 m)
Longest span129 ft (39.3 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,700 (2020)
Projected traffic3,150 by 2042
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77 built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77 in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77 carry?

About 1,700 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77?

The structure is 235 ft (71.6 m) long with a longest span of 129 ft (39.3 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Lovers Lane over I-81 / I-77?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.