US Bridges

CR 38/3 over East River

FairPosted for load

Mercer County, West Virginia · 0.01 MI S of Wv 112 · Structure no. 00000000028A095

Built
1979
46 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
48 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
90
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

CR 38/3 over East River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying CR 38/3 over East River in Mercer County, West Virginia. It was built in 1979, so it is 46 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 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 90 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 108 by 2040. The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long and 16 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCR 38/3
CrossesEast River
Location0.01 MI S of Wv 112
RouteCounty Highway 3803
CountyMercer County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.31331, -81.02768
Functional classRural Local

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.
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 inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length48 ft (14.6 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic90 (2020)
Projected traffic108 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$450,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CR 38/3 over East River built?

It was built in 1979, making it 46 years old in 2025.

What condition is CR 38/3 over East River 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does CR 38/3 over East River carry?

About 90 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is CR 38/3 over East River?

The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns CR 38/3 over East River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.