US Bridges

County Route 5 over Laurel Fork

PoorPosted for load

Wyoming County, West Virginia · 0.04 Mi. E of Co. 1 · Structure no. 00000000055A010

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
700
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 5 over Laurel Fork is a concrete arch - deck carrying County Route 5 over Laurel Fork in Wyoming County, West Virginia. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 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 3 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 700 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 735 by 2043. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 26.7 mi (43 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Route 5
CrossesLaurel Fork
Location0.04 Mi. E of Co. 1
RouteCounty Highway 500
CountyWyoming County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates37.68943, -81.48437
Functional classRural Major Collector

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
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating34 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic700 (2023)
Projected traffic735 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed26.7 mi (43 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$1.4 million (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 5 over Laurel Fork built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 5 over Laurel Fork 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 5 over Laurel Fork carry?

About 700 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is County Route 5 over Laurel Fork?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 5 over Laurel Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.