US Bridges

County Route 7 over Tug Fork

PoorPosted for load

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.03 Mi. E. of CR 7/7 · Structure no. 00000000024A042

Built
1890
135 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2022
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
210 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 7 over Tug Fork is a steel truss - thru carrying County Route 7 over Tug Fork in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1890, so it is 135 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 3 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 210 ft (63.9 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 7
CrossesTug Fork
Location0.03 Mi. E. of CR 7/7
RouteCounty Highway 700
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.47573, -81.67204
Functional classRural Local

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
Deck3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length210 ft (63.9 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2020)
Projected traffic525 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$4.3 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 7 over Tug Fork built?

It was built in 1890, making it 135 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 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 October 2022.

How much traffic does County Route 7 over Tug Fork carry?

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

How long is County Route 7 over Tug Fork?

The structure is 210 ft (63.9 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 7 over Tug Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.