US Bridges

County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek

FairPosted for load

Monroe County, West Virginia · 0.08 Miles S. of CR 17 · Structure no. 00000000032A031

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
71
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek in Monroe County, West Virginia. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 6 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 71 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 87 by 2039. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 15/3
CrossesSouth Fork Potts Creek
Location0.08 Miles S. of CR 17
RouteCounty Highway 1503
CountyMonroe County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.47304, -80.42021
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic71 (2019)
Projected traffic87 by 2039
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$442,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek carry?

About 71 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 15/3 over South Fork Potts Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.