US Bridges

CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.28 MI N of CO 52/41 · Structure no. 00000000024A205

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
150
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch is a prestressed concrete slab carrying CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 6 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 158 by 2040. The structure is 27 ft (8.3 m) long and 20 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 52/6
CrossesLaurel Branch
Location0.28 MI N of CO 52/41
RouteCounty Highway 5206
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.45812, -81.50071
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating93 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length27 ft (8.3 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2020)
Projected traffic158 by 2040
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 CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 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 150 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

The structure is 27 ft (8.3 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns CR 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.