US Bridges

CR 47 over Elk River

Fair

Kanawha County, West Virginia · 0.08 MI N of CR 47/7 · Structure no. 00000000020A587

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
426 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
4,800
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 47 over Elk River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CR 47 over Elk River in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 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 4,800 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,288 by 2042. The structure is 426 ft (129.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 47
CrossesElk River
Location0.08 MI N of CR 47/7
RouteCounty Highway 47
CountyKanawha County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.43951, -81.48476
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating53 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length426 ft (129.9 m)
Longest span122 ft (37.2 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,800 (2022)
Projected traffic6,288 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$700,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 47 over Elk River built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 47 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does CR 47 over Elk River carry?

About 4,800 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is CR 47 over Elk River?

The structure is 426 ft (129.9 m) long with a longest span of 122 ft (37.2 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns CR 47 over Elk River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.