US Bridges

CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.83 MI N of CO 52/35 · Structure no. 00000000024A143

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 years old, younger 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 300 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 315 by 2040. The structure is 38 ft (11.5 m) long and 15 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 52/6
CrossesLaurel Branch
Location0.83 MI N of CO 52/35
RouteCounty Highway 5206
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.45139, -81.51233
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 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 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 rating98 US tons
Inventory rating70 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.5 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.3 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2020)
Projected traffic315 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$450,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch carry?

About 300 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

The structure is 38 ft (11.5 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.3 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.