US Bridges

CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 1.13 Mi. North of CO 14 · Structure no. 00000000024A262

Built
1998
27 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
350
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1998, so it is 27 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 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 377 by 2040. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.1 mi (42 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO 17
CrossesWindmill Gap Branch
Location1.13 Mi. North of CO 14
RouteCounty Highway 1700
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.40808, -81.33888
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating98 US tons
Inventory rating66 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2020)
Projected traffic377 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.1 mi (42 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$550,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch built?

It was built in 1998, making it 27 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO 17 over Windmill Gap 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 CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns CO 17 over Windmill Gap Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.