US Bridges

County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek

Fair

Summers County, West Virginia · 0.01 Miles E. of Wv 20 · Structure no. 00000000045A045

Built
1984
41 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
33
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek in Summers County, West Virginia. It was built in 1984, so it is 41 years old, younger 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 33 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 42 by 2040. The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 20/3
CrossesPipestem Creek
Location0.01 Miles E. of Wv 20
RouteCounty Highway 2003
CountySummers County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.56227, -80.93053
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionMarch 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating84 US tons
Inventory rating51 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length29 ft (8.9 m)
Longest span26 ft (8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic33 (2020)
Projected traffic42 by 2040
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$344,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek built?

It was built in 1984, making it 41 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek carry?

About 33 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek?

The structure is 29 ft (8.9 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 20/3 over Pipestem Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.