US Bridges

5th St. NW over NS Railway

Fair

Roanoke city, Virginia · .1 Norflk AV;.1SHEN Ave · Structure no. 000000000024099

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
290 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,606
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

5th St. NW over NS Railway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying 5th St. NW over NS Railway in Roanoke city, 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 2,606 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,906 by 2042. The structure is 290 ft (88.4 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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Carries5th St. NW
CrossesNS Railway
Location.1 Norflk AV;.1SHEN Ave
RouteCity Street 0
CountyRoanoke city
StateVirginia
Coordinates37.27319, -79.94975
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 21 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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length290 ft (88.4 m)
Longest span94 ft (28.8 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.7 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,606 (2022)
Projected traffic2,906 by 2042
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$170 million (2017 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was 5th St. NW over NS Railway built?

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

What condition is 5th St. NW 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does 5th St. NW over NS Railway carry?

About 2,606 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is 5th St. NW over NS Railway?

The structure is 290 ft (88.4 m) long with a longest span of 94 ft (28.8 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns 5th St. NW over NS Railway?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.