US Bridges

County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork

Poor

Jackson County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mile South 21/46 · Structure no. 00000000018A098

Built
1976
49 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork is a prestressed concrete slab carrying County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork in Jackson County, West Virginia. It was built in 1976, so it is 49 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 725 by 2042. The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long and 20 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 21/38
CrossesDudden Fork
Location0.01 Mile South 21/46
RouteCounty Highway 2138
CountyJackson County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.60227, -81.63516
Functional classRural Local

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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating88 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.4 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2022)
Projected traffic725 by 2042
Trucks7%
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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$250,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork?

The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 21/38 over Dudden Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.