US Bridges

County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork

Fair

Kanawha County, West Virginia · 0.12 Mile W of CR 43 · Structure no. 00000000020A815

Built
2004
21 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was built in 2004, so it is 21 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 52 by 2043. The structure is 36 ft (10.9 m) long and 14 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Rt 43/7
CrossesRuffner Fork
Location0.12 Mile W of CR 43
RouteCounty Highway 437
CountyKanawha County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.50282, -81.48329
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length36 ft (10.9 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (3.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2023)
Projected traffic52 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$450,000 (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork built?

It was built in 2004, making it 21 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork?

The structure is 36 ft (10.9 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns County Rt 43/7 over Ruffner Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.