US Bridges

CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.11 MI W of CR 52/11 · Structure no. 00000000024A027

Built
1936
89 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
40
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1936, so it is 89 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 42 by 2040. The structure is 49 ft (15 m) long and 15 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 52/20
CrossesElkhorn Creek
Location0.11 MI W of CR 52/11
RouteCounty Highway 5220
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.38543, -81.41309
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
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating88 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length49 ft (15 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.5 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2020)
Projected traffic42 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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$700,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek 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 2023.

How much traffic does CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek?

The structure is 49 ft (15 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.5 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns CR 52/20 over Elkhorn Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.