US Bridges

CR 7 over Tug Fork

PoorPosted for load

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.03 MI W of CR 4 · Structure no. 00000000024A039

Built
1917
108 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2022
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
148 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 7 over Tug Fork is a concrete arch - deck carrying CR 7 over Tug Fork in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1917, so it is 108 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 500 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 525 by 2040. The structure is 148 ft (45.1 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 14.9 mi (24 km).

Location

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CarriesCR 7
CrossesTug Fork
Location0.03 MI W of CR 4
RouteCounty Highway 700
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.4768, -81.65494
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
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 statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating26 US tons
Inventory rating11 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length148 ft (45.1 m)
Longest span58 ft (17.7 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2020)
Projected traffic525 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed14.9 mi (24 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$3 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 7 over Tug Fork built?

It was built in 1917, making it 108 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 7 over Tug 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 CR 7 over Tug Fork carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CR 7 over Tug Fork?

The structure is 148 ft (45.1 m) long with a longest span of 58 ft (17.7 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns CR 7 over Tug Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.