US Bridges

County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River

Fair

Boone County, West Virginia · 0.03 MI N of CR 3/16 · Structure no. 00000000003A030

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1999
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
227 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River in Boone County, West Virginia. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1999, so it is 61 years old, older than the West Virginia average of 44.7 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 30 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 40 by 2042. The structure is 227 ft (69.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 3/13
CrossesBig Coal River
Location0.03 MI N of CR 3/16
RouteCounty Highway 313
CountyBoone County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.14336, -81.63769
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2 (+1 approach)
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length227 ft (69.3 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2022)
Projected traffic40 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$250,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1999.

What condition is County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River?

The structure is 227 ft (69.3 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 3/13 over Big Coal River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.