US Bridges

County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek

Poor

Gilmer County, West Virginia · 2.48 MI S of CO 23/1 Sls · Structure no. 00000000011A053

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
104 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek in Gilmer County, West Virginia. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 240 by 2038. The structure is 104 ft (31.8 m) long and 19 ft wide.

CarriesCounty Route 23
CrossesRight Fork Steer Creek
Location2.48 MI S of CO 23/1 Sls
RouteCounty Highway 2300
Coordinates38.8019, -80.97585
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating34.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length104 ft (31.8 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.7 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2018)
Projected traffic240 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$1.4 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in May 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek?

The structure is 104 ft (31.8 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 23 over Right Fork Steer Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.