US Bridges

CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street

PoorPosted for load

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI West of Wv 16 · Structure no. 00000000024A276

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
211 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
40
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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 4 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 40 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 42 by 2042. The structure is 211 ft (64.2 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCO 16/48
CrossesTug Fork & Tug Street
Location0.01 MI West of Wv 16
RouteCounty Highway 1648
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.43229, -81.58617
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating20.9 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length211 ft (64.2 m)
Longest span102 ft (31.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic40 (2022)
Projected traffic42 by 2042
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and waterway
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$3.1 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street carry?

About 40 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street?

The structure is 211 ft (64.2 m) long with a longest span of 102 ft (31.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns CO 16/48 over Tug Fork & Tug Street?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.