US Bridges

County Route 56 over Fishing Creek

Fair

Wetzel County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mi. South JCT WV20 · Structure no. 00000000052A089

Built
1977
48 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
149 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
450
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 56 over Fishing Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 56 over Fishing Creek in Wetzel County, West Virginia. It was built in 1977 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 48 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 450 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 549 by 2040. The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long and 17 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 56
CrossesFishing Creek
Location0.01 Mi. South JCT WV20
RouteCounty Highway 56
CountyWetzel County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.56462, -80.70545
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating89 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckClosed grating
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length149 ft (45.4 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.2 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2020)
Projected traffic549 by 2040
Trucks8%
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 56 over Fishing Creek built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is County Route 56 over Fishing 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 56 over Fishing Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 56 over Fishing Creek?

The structure is 149 ft (45.4 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.2 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 56 over Fishing Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.