US Bridges

CR 28 over Hales Branch

PoorPosted for load

Mercer County, West Virginia · 0.03 MI N of CR 28/6 · Structure no. 00000000028A090

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
37 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
600
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 28 over Hales Branch is a concrete slab carrying CR 28 over Hales Branch in Mercer 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 600 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 720 by 2040. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 28 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 28
CrossesHales Branch
Location0.03 MI N of CR 28/6
RouteCounty Highway 2800
CountyMercer County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.35256, -80.95998
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width27 ft (8.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic600 (2020)
Projected traffic720 by 2040
Trucks6%
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$600,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 28 over Hales Branch built?

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

What condition is CR 28 over Hales Branch 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does CR 28 over Hales Branch carry?

About 600 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is CR 28 over Hales Branch?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns CR 28 over Hales Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.