US Bridges

County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad

Poor

Mercer County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mile E. of Co. 27 · Structure no. 00000000028A195

Built
1997
28 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
79 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,400
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad in Mercer County, West Virginia. It was built in 1997, so it is 28 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 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.

It carries about 3,400 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,080 by 2040. The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 27/3
CrossesNS Railroad
Location0.01 Mile E. of Co. 27
RouteCounty Highway 2703
CountyMercer County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.3507, -81.077
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.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating82 US tons
Inventory rating48.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length79 ft (24.1 m)
Longest span74 ft (22.6 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,400 (2020)
Projected traffic4,080 by 2040
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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$450,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad built?

It was built in 1997, making it 28 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad carry?

About 3,400 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad?

The structure is 79 ft (24.1 m) long with a longest span of 74 ft (22.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 27/3 over NS Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.