US Bridges

West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek

PoorPosted for load

Wetzel County, West Virginia · 0.07 Mi. South JCT C20/10 · Structure no. 00000000052A063

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Concrete
Length
106 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
1,700
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek is a concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek in Wetzel County, West Virginia. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 1,700 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,380 by 2040. The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 36 mi (58 km).

Location

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CarriesWest Virginia 20
CrossesSouth Fork Fishing Creek
Location0.07 Mi. South JCT C20/10
RouteState Highway 20
CountyWetzel County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.52586, -80.63138
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating41 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length106 ft (32.3 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,700 (2020)
Projected traffic2,380 by 2040
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed36 mi (58 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$1.2 million (2019 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek carry?

About 1,700 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek?

The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns West Virginia 20 over South Fork Fishing Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.