US Bridges

County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI S of CR 3/3 · Structure no. 00000000024A023

Built
1947
78 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1947 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 78 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 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 210 by 2042. The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long and 24 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesCounty Rt 3/2
CrossesTrace Fork
Location0.01 MI S of CR 3/3
RouteCounty Highway 302
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.4586, -81.88986
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating61.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.4 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2022)
Projected traffic210 by 2042
Trucks9%
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$300,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is County Rt 3/2 over Trace 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork?

The structure is 28 ft (8.4 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns County Rt 3/2 over Trace Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.