US Bridges

County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork

Fair

Wetzel County, West Virginia · 0.01 Mi. South JCT CR56 · Structure no. 00000000052A090

Built
1974
51 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
50
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork in Wetzel County, West Virginia. It was built in 1974 and reconstructed in 1993, so it is 51 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 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 50 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 61 by 2042. The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long and 20 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 56/1
CrossesPiney Fork
Location0.01 Mi. South JCT CR56
RouteCounty Highway 5601
CountyWetzel County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.51577, -80.69416
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.6 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.1 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2022)
Projected traffic61 by 2042
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$322,000 (2022 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork 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 2024.

How much traffic does County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.6 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 56/1 over Piney Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.