US Bridges

County Route 3 over Panther Creek

Fair

McDowell County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mi. East of CO 3/4 · Structure no. 00000000024A375

Built
2018
7 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
108 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,200
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 3 over Panther Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 3 over Panther Creek in McDowell County, West Virginia. It was built in 2018, so it is 7 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 1,200 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,260 by 2040. The structure is 108 ft (33 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 3
CrossesPanther Creek
Location0.01 Mi. East of CO 3/4
RouteCounty Highway 3
CountyMcDowell County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.48178, -81.89822
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length108 ft (33 m)
Longest span105 ft (32 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,200 (2020)
Projected traffic1,260 by 2040
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 3 over Panther Creek built?

It was built in 2018, making it 7 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 3 over Panther Creek 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 3 over Panther Creek carry?

About 1,200 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is County Route 3 over Panther Creek?

The structure is 108 ft (33 m) long with a longest span of 105 ft (32 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 3 over Panther Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.