US Bridges

County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek

Poor

Ohio County, West Virginia · 0.52 Mi. East JCT CR23/2 · Structure no. 00000000035A029

Built
1959
66 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
101 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
90
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek in Ohio County, West Virginia. It was built in 1959 and reconstructed in 1988, so it is 66 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.

It carries about 90 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 110 by 2040. The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long and 20 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 39
CrossesMiddle Wheeling Creek
Location0.52 Mi. East JCT CR23/2
RouteCounty Highway 39
CountyOhio County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates40.03182, -80.5832
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckClosed grating
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length101 ft (30.8 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.8 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic90 (2020)
Projected traffic110 by 2040
Trucks7%
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$1.1 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek 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 County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek carry?

About 90 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek?

The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.8 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 39 over Middle Wheeling Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.