US Bridges

County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River

Fair

Upshur County, West Virginia · 0.43 MI N of CO Rt 30/21 · Structure no. 00000000049A065

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
119 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
30
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River in Upshur County, West Virginia. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 6 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 30 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 37 by 2038. The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 32/17
CrossesBuckhannon River
Location0.43 MI N of CO Rt 30/21
RouteCounty Highway 3217
CountyUpshur County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.83163, -80.19846
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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length119 ft (36.3 m)
Longest span56 ft (17.2 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic30 (2018)
Projected traffic37 by 2038
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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$850,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River carry?

About 30 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River?

The structure is 119 ft (36.3 m) long with a longest span of 56 ft (17.2 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 32/17 over Buckhannon River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.