US Bridges

County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek

Fair

Fayette County, West Virginia · 0.28 Miles E. of Wv 16 · Structure no. 00000000010A060

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
146 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek in Fayette County, West Virginia. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger 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 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 500 by 2042. The structure is 146 ft (44.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.3 mi (23 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 16/3
CrossesBells Creek
Location0.28 Miles E. of Wv 16
RouteCounty Highway 1603
CountyFayette County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.23699, -81.18563
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating39 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length146 ft (44.5 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2022)
Projected traffic500 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.3 mi (23 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek?

The structure is 146 ft (44.5 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 16/3 over Bells Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.