US Bridges

County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek

FairPosted for load

Nicholas County, West Virginia · 0.03 Miles W. of CR 94/1 · Structure no. 00000000034A012

Built
1918
107 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
93 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
400
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek in Nicholas County, West Virginia. It was built in 1918, so it is 107 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 400 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 440 by 2039. The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 5
CrossesBig Beaver Creek
Location0.03 Miles W. of CR 94/1
RouteCounty Highway 500
CountyNicholas County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.32853, -80.66537
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
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating34.9 US tons
Inventory rating16 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length93 ft (28.3 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (2019)
Projected traffic440 by 2039
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$1.1 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek built?

It was built in 1918, making it 107 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 5 over Big Beaver 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek carry?

About 400 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek?

The structure is 93 ft (28.3 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 5 over Big Beaver Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.