US Bridges

County Road 281 over West Fork

Good

Ashland County, Ohio · .59 MI S of CR 40 · Structure no. 0335649

Built
1971
54 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Good
inspected September 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
425
2014 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 281 over West Fork is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Road 281 over West Fork in Ashland County, Ohio. It was built in 1971 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 54 years old, older than the Ohio average of 47.3 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 425 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 590 by 2034. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Road 281
CrossesWest Fork
Location.59 MI S of CR 40
RouteCounty Highway C0281
CountyAshland County
StateOhio
Coordinates41.04976, -82.1817
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating47.2 US tons
Inventory rating28.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic425 (2014)
Projected traffic590 by 2034
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 281 over West Fork built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is County Road 281 over West Fork 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 281 over West Fork carry?

About 425 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Road 281 over West Fork?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 281 over West Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.