US Bridges

County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River

FairPosted for load

Ritchie County, West Virginia · 0.15 Mi. East of Wv 74 · Structure no. 00000000043A140

Built
1912
113 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
49 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
70
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River is a concrete arch - deck carrying County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River in Ritchie County, West Virginia. It was built in 1912, so it is 113 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 70 vehicles a day, projected to reach 105 by 2039. The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long and 15 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty 74/5
CrossesNorth Fork Hughes River
Location0.15 Mi. East of Wv 74
RouteCounty Highway 745
CountyRitchie County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.33719, -80.91994
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating31 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length49 ft (14.9 m)
Longest span46 ft (14 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic70 (2019)
Projected traffic105 by 2039
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River built?

It was built in 1912, making it 113 years old in 2025.

What condition is County 74/5 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River carry?

About 70 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River?

The structure is 49 ft (14.9 m) long with a longest span of 46 ft (14 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns County 74/5 over North Fork Hughes River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.