US Bridges

County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River

Fair

Upshur County, West Virginia · 0.02 MI S of CO Rt 44 Sls · Structure no. 00000000049A080

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2018 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River in Upshur County, West Virginia. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 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 20 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 22 by 2038. The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long and 14 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 44/1
CrossesLittle Kanawha River
Location0.02 MI S of CO Rt 44 Sls
RouteCounty Highway 4401
CountyUpshur County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates38.80046, -80.29135
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length32 ft (9.7 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2018)
Projected traffic22 by 2038
Trucks12%
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$280,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River?

The structure is 32 ft (9.7 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 44/1 over Little Kanawha River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.