US Bridges

County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.70 MI North of CO 52/4 · Structure no. 00000000024A279

Built
2000
25 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
39 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
300
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 2000, so it is 25 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 39 ft (11.8 m) long and 21 ft wide.

CarriesCounty Route 52/6
CrossesLaurel Branch
Location0.70 MI North of CO 52/4
RouteCounty Highway 5206
Coordinates37.44575, -81.51311
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.
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 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 adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating48.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length39 ft (11.8 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic300 (2020)
Projected traffic315 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$550,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch built?

It was built in 2000, making it 25 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 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 County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch carry?

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

How long is County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

The structure is 39 ft (11.8 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 52/6 over Laurel Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.