US Bridges

County Route 5 over Big Coal River

Fair

Boone County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI N of CR 5/1 · Structure no. 00000000003A042

Built
1975
50 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
351 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 5 over Big Coal River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 5 over Big Coal River in Boone County, West Virginia. It was built in 1975, so it is 50 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 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 1,200 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,584 by 2042. The structure is 351 ft (107 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 65.2 mi (105 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 5
CrossesBig Coal River
Location0.01 MI N of CR 5/1
RouteCounty Highway 5
CountyBoone County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.10591, -81.62334
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length351 ft (107 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,200 (2022)
Projected traffic1,584 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed65.2 mi (105 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$500,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 5 over Big Coal River built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 5 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 5 over Big Coal River carry?

About 1,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 5 over Big Coal River?

The structure is 351 ft (107 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 5 over Big Coal River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.