US Bridges

CR 161/3 over South Fork

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.02 MI E of Wv 161 · Structure no. 00000000024A252

Built
1976
49 years old, rebuilt 1994
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 161/3 over South Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CR 161/3 over South Fork in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1976 and reconstructed in 1994, so it is 49 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 10 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 11 by 2040. The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long and 14 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 161/3
CrossesSouth Fork
Location0.02 MI E of Wv 161
RouteCounty Highway 16103
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.32607, -81.4757
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 inspectionDecember 2022
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating81 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (3.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2020)
Projected traffic11 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 161/3 over South Fork built?

It was built in 1976, making it 49 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1994.

What condition is CR 161/3 over South Fork 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does CR 161/3 over South Fork carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CR 161/3 over South Fork?

The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns CR 161/3 over South Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.