US Bridges

County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River

Poor

Ritchie County, West Virginia · 0.37 Mi. W. of CR 50/24 · Structure no. 00000000043A141

Built
1914
111 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
55 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
150
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River in Ritchie County, West Virginia. It was built in 1914, so it is 111 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 224 by 2039. The structure is 55 ft (16.9 m) long and 15 ft wide.

CarriesCounty Route 74/9
CrossesNorth Fork Hughes River
Location0.37 Mi. W. of CR 50/24
RouteCounty Highway 749
Coordinates39.31169, -80.93582
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
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length55 ft (16.9 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.7 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2019)
Projected traffic224 by 2039
Trucks5%
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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$150,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River built?

It was built in 1914, making it 111 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River?

The structure is 55 ft (16.9 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 74/9 over North Fork Hughes River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.