I-95 & I-495
over POTOMAC RIVER
0000VA LINE / 0000MD LINE, Fairfax County, Virginia
Condition
FairYear Built
2006
Daily Traffic
60,262
Length
609 ft
About This Bridge
I-95 & I-495 carries traffic over POTOMAC RIVER in Fairfax County, Virginia. Built in 2006, this structure is 20 years old, representing modern engineering and construction standards. The bridge features steel construction with a movable - bascule design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.
Approximately 60,262 vehicles cross this bridge daily, making it a high-traffic corridor critical to regional transportation. Bridges carrying this volume require enhanced inspection schedules and proactive maintenance programs.
The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 609 feet, this is a major span requiring specialized engineering expertise for inspection and maintenance. Longer bridges present unique challenges including thermal expansion, wind loads, and more complex structural analysis.
Steel bridges provide high strength-to-weight ratios, making them suitable for longer spans. However, they require ongoing protection against corrosion through painting or weathering steel designs. Inspectors pay close attention to connection points, fatigue cracking, and coating condition.
Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.
Condition Ratings
Deck Condition
Satisfactory
Superstructure
Good
Substructure
Good
Channel & Protection
Satisfactory
Lowest Rating
Determines condition category
NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.
The fair condition rating of 6 indicates satisfactory condition with minor section loss or deterioration.
For a structure built in 2006, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns. If this bridge were closed, traffic would face a detour of approximately 63 miles, underscoring the importance of maintaining this crossing.
Bridge Details
Steel is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The movable - bascule design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to Other State.
Construction
Dimensions
Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 62,153 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.
Classification
Status
Traffic Data
Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.
60,262
Avg Daily Traffic (2022)
Vehicles per day crossing this bridge
—
Truck Traffic
Commercial vehicle percentage
67,192
Projected Future ADT
Estimated future demand
This bridge carries approximately 60,262 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 21,995,630 crossings annually. This high volume places significant demands on the structure and necessitates frequent inspections.
Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 67,192 vehicles daily, a 11% increase from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.
Load Ratings
Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.
Operating Rating
6.5 tons
Maximum allowable load for special permits
Inventory Rating
3.9 tons
Load level for normal traffic
The operating rating of 6.5 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 3.9 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.
5-Year Condition Trend
→StableCondition has remained relatively stable since 2020
Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory
Location
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39.742778, -78.336389
Identification
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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024
Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.
This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.