US Bridges

County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River

Fair

Ritchie County, West Virginia · 0.03 Mile West CR 50/24 · Structure no. 00000000043A131

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
95 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
450
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River in Ritchie County, West Virginia. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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.

It carries about 450 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 671 by 2042. The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long and 25 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 50/40
CrossesNorth Fork Hughes River
Location0.03 Mile West CR 50/24
RouteCounty Highway 5040
CountyRitchie County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.27494, -80.93128
Functional classRural Major Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length95 ft (29 m)
Longest span90 ft (27.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2022)
Projected traffic671 by 2042
Trucks5%
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$2.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River?

The structure is 95 ft (29 m) long with a longest span of 90 ft (27.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 50/40 over North Fork Hughes River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.