US Bridges

Wv 3 over Valley Fork

Poor

Lincoln County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI West of CR 3/4 · Structure no. 00000000022A005

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2022
Type
Channel Beam
Prestressed Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,000
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wv 3 over Valley Fork is a prestressed concrete channel beam carrying Wv 3 over Valley Fork in Lincoln County, West Virginia. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 2,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,100 by 2040. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 13 mi (21 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWv 3
CrossesValley Fork
Location0.01 MI West of CR 3/4
RouteState Highway 300
CountyLincoln County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.23842, -81.98947
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations on dry land well above flood water elevations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.2 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,000 (2020)
Projected traffic2,100 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed13 mi (21 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$210,000 (2017 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wv 3 over Valley Fork built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wv 3 over Valley 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does Wv 3 over Valley Fork carry?

About 2,000 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Wv 3 over Valley Fork?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Wv 3 over Valley Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.