Smyth County Bridge Report Card
Smyth County scores 86 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Smyth County, Virginia
Smyth County has 189 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 7 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 3.7% is above the 3.4% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 34,659 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Smyth County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 86/100 (B). The county has 189 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 7 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 34,659 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 3.7% | 7.4 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.0% of measured traffic | 3.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 56 years vs 48 nationally | 3.2 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 860,636 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 3.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 3.4% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 56 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 34,659 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Smyth County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate 81 Nbl over M. Fork Holston River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,486 | 1962 |
| Interstate 81 Sbl over M. Fork Holston River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15,197 | 1962 |
| Railroad Drive over Ns Railway | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 949 | 1932 |
| Old Ebenezer RD over M Fork Holston River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 868 | 1966 |
| Laurel Spring Road over Interstate 81 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 556 | 1962 |
| Cedar Springs Road over Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 435 | 1932 |
| East Chilhowie ST over Mf Holston River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 168 | 1885 |
| N&sbl Route 0081 over Laurel Spring Branch | High traffic | Fair | 33,381 | 1963 |
| Interstate 81 over Nbl&sbl Over Stream | High traffic | Fair | 31,442 | 1963 |
| I-81 Nbl & Sbl over RTE 11 Nsrr Mfh River | High traffic | Good | 31,084 | 2021 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.