US Bridges

Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek

Fair

Gilmer County, West Virginia · 0.06 MI S of CO 2 · Structure no. 00000000011A043

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
600
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek is a concrete slab carrying Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek in Gilmer County, West Virginia. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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 600 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 630 by 2038. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 25 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWv 18
CrossesLittle Cove Creek
Location0.06 MI S of CO 2
RouteState Highway 1800
CountyGilmer County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.03799, -80.76544
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating70 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (2018)
Projected traffic630 by 2038
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
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$600,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wv 18 over Little Cove 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Wv 18 over Little Cove Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.