US Bridges

I-81 Sbl over NS Railway

Fair

Wythe County, Virginia · .46MTO11&.79MTOECLWYTHVIL · Structure no. 000000000022374

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
225 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
28,471
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-81 Sbl over NS Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-81 Sbl over NS Railway in Wythe County, Virginia. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 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 28,471 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 29,292 by 2042. The structure is 225 ft (68.5 m) long and 56 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesI-81 Sbl
CrossesNS Railway
Location.46MTO11&.79MTOECLWYTHVIL
RouteInterstate 81
CountyWythe County
StateVirginia
Coordinates36.94593, -81.04594
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating89.9 US tons
Inventory rating69 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length225 ft (68.5 m)
Longest span91 ft (27.7 m)
Deck width56 ft (17 m)
Roadway width52 ft (16 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,471 (2022)
Projected traffic29,292 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-81 Sbl over NS Railway built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is I-81 Sbl over NS Railway 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 Sbl over NS Railway carry?

About 28,471 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is I-81 Sbl over NS Railway?

The structure is 225 ft (68.5 m) long with a longest span of 91 ft (27.7 m) and a deck 56 ft wide.

Who owns I-81 Sbl over NS Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.