US Bridges

County Route 36 over Elk Fork

PoorPosted for load

Tyler County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mi. South JCT CR 11 · Structure no. 00000000048A106

Built
1924
101 years old, rebuilt 1974
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
32 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 36 over Elk Fork is a concrete continuous slab carrying County Route 36 over Elk Fork in Tyler County, West Virginia. It was built in 1924 and reconstructed in 1974, so it is 101 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 10 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 12 by 2040. The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 21.1 mi (34 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 36
CrossesElk Fork
Location0.01 Mi. South JCT CR 11
RouteCounty Highway 36
CountyTyler County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.51474, -80.79035
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating6.9 US tons
Inventory rating4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.9 m)
Longest span8 ft (2.5 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10 (2020)
Projected traffic12 by 2040
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed21.1 mi (34 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$375,000 (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 36 over Elk Fork built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1974.

What condition is County Route 36 over Elk Fork 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 36 over Elk Fork carry?

About 10 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is County Route 36 over Elk Fork?

The structure is 32 ft (9.9 m) long with a longest span of 8 ft (2.5 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 36 over Elk Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.