US Bridges

US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek

Poor

Ohio County, West Virginia · 0.43 Mi. West JCT CR40/3 · Structure no. 00000000035A041

Built
1931
94 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
80 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,500
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek in Ohio County, West Virginia. It was built in 1931, so it is 94 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 4,500 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,490 by 2040. The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS Route 40
CrossesLittle Wheeling Creek
Location0.43 Mi. West JCT CR40/3
RouteU.S. Route 40
CountyOhio County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates40.06361, -80.61371
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating54 US tons
Inventory rating20.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length80 ft (24.4 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.6 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,500 (2020)
Projected traffic5,490 by 2040
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$40,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025.

What condition is US Route 40 over Little 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek carry?

About 4,500 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek?

The structure is 80 ft (24.4 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns US Route 40 over Little Wheeling Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.