US Bridges

County Route 40 over Elk River

Fair

Braxton County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI E of Wv 4 Sls · Structure no. 00000000004A096

Built
1951
74 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel Continuous
Length
384 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 40 over Elk River is a steel continuous girder and floorbeam system carrying County Route 40 over Elk River in Braxton County, West Virginia. It was built in 1951, so it is 74 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 450 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 473 by 2038. The structure is 384 ft (117 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 40
CrossesElk River
Location0.01 MI E of Wv 4 Sls
RouteCounty Highway 4000
CountyBraxton County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.56699, -80.89801
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating66 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 15
Structure length384 ft (117 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width16 ft (5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2018)
Projected traffic473 by 2038
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 40 over Elk River built?

It was built in 1951, making it 74 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 40 over Elk 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 40 over Elk River carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 40 over Elk River?

The structure is 384 ft (117 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 40 over Elk River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.