Total bridges
225
Public highway bridges in McDowell County
County profile · official public datasets
McDowell County, WV
225 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 4% rated Good, 64.4% Fair, 31.6% Poor.
- 225
- Public bridges
- 4%
- Good condition
- 31.6%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
McDowell County posts a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.
- 54th
- of 55 on Poor share
- 31.6%
- Poor-condition share
- 225
- public highway bridges
- 1981
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
McDowell County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, McDowell County ranks #54 of 55 West Virginia counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 31.6%). McDowell County, West Virginia contains 225 public highway bridges. Roughly 4% are rated “Good,” 64.4% “Fair,” and 31.6% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
4%
9 of 225 rated 7-9
Fair condition
64.4%
145 of 225 rated 5-6
Poor condition
31.6%
71 of 225 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#54 of 55
Among West Virginia counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 225 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 4% (9)
Fair 64.4% (145)
Poor 31.6% (71)
McDowell County's Poor-condition bridges carry 36,110 vehicle crossings a day
That is 26.6% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 31.3% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 516 crossings a day against 507 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 224 of 225 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
28% of McDowell County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
63 of the 225 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 4% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 14.7% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
WV 16 over BROWNS CREEK, built 1999, carries 5,300 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 71-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 36,110 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When McDowell County's bridges were built
225 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- pre-1900 2
Built before 1900
2 bridges
- 1910s 10
1910–1919
10 bridges
- 1920s 6
1920–1929
6 bridges
- 1930s 19
1930–1939
19 bridges
- 1940s 11
1940–1949
11 bridges
- 1950s 6
1950–1959
6 bridges
- 1960s 7
1960–1969
7 bridges
- 1970s 19
1970–1979
19 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
24 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
50 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
44 bridges
- 2010s 17
2010–2019
17 bridges
- 2020s 10
2020–2029
10 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1990s, when 50 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 22.2% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 25 to 34 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1981) matches the West Virginia average (1980).
How McDowell County compares with West Virginia's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 West Virginia counties nearest McDowell County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 31.6% Poor share is the 6th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1981 against a peer-group mean of 1983 is in line with the group.
Showing the 5 closest of 54 West Virginia counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan County | 236 | 23.7% | 52.5% | 23.7% | 1989 |
| McDowell County (this page) | 225 | 4% | 64.4% | 31.6% | 1981 |
| Raleigh County | 224 | 4.9% | 70.5% | 24.6% | 1983 |
| Fayette County | 211 | 19% | 67.8% | 13.3% | 1982 |
| Cabell County | 207 | 25.1% | 57.5% | 17.4% | 1984 |
| Greenbrier County | 207 | 22.7% | 64.3% | 13% | 1979 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to McDowell County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for McDowell County, both outside West Virginia so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside WV (225 bridges here).
- Dallas County, AL · 225 bridges
- Madison County, IA · 225 bridges
- Mahaska County, IA · 225 bridges
- Lincoln County, KS · 225 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside WV (1981 here).
- Franklin County, OH · avg 1981 · 922 bridges
- Greenville County, SC · avg 1981 · 635 bridges
- Montgomery County, OH · avg 1981 · 632 bridges
- McLean County, IL · avg 1981 · 624 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (145)
CR 1
FairOver: LONGPOLE CREEK
0.01 MI W OF CR 1/3, McDowell, WV
Built 1915 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 150
CR. 11
FairOver: JACOBS FORK
0.03 MI. W. OF WV. 16, McDowell, WV
Built 1916 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 500
CR 3/2
FairOver: PANTHER CREEK
1.18 MI N OF CR 5/8, McDowell, WV
Built 1960 Load: 13.6 t ADT: 40
CR 13
FairOver: SANDLICK CREEK
1.33 MI S OF CR 13/3, McDowell, WV
Built 1935 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 40
CR 17
FairOver: ELKHORN CREEK
0.05 MI N OF US 52, McDowell, WV
Built 1921 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 650
COUNTY ROUTE 3/2
FairOver: PANTHER CREEK
1.83 MI. N. OF CR 5/8, McDowell, WV
Built 1960 Load: 19.0 t ADT: 90
County Route 52/58
FairOver: Elkhorn Creek
0.15 Mile N. of Co. 52/58, McDowell, WV
Built 1930 Load: 19.0 t ADT: 150
WV. 16
FairOver: HORSEPEN CREEK
0.01 MI. N. OF WV. 16, McDowell, WV
Built 1935 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 1,300
CR 5/10
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.01 MI E OF WV RT 80, McDowell, WV
Built 1977 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 90
WV 16
FairOver: JACOBS FORK
0.04 MI.N.OFCR.16/2, McDowell, WV
Built 1968 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 850
WV 83
FairOver: BARRENSHE CREEK
0.01 MI W OF CR 83/20, McDowell, WV
Built 1968 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 950
CR 83/1
FairOver: BARTLEY CREEK
0.01 MI S OF CO 83/48, McDowell, WV
Built 1948 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 250
COUNTY ROUTE 1/2
FairOver: LEFT FORK BULL CREEK
0.28 MI. N. OF CR.3, McDowell, WV
Built 1981 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 300
CR 3/4
FairOver: BULL CREEK
0.01 MI S OF CR 1/2, McDowell, WV
Built 1950 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 150
CO 1/2
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.06 MI NORTH OF CO 3/4, McDowell, WV
Built 2009 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 500
US 52
FairOver: BOTTOM CREEK
0.03 MI W OF CR 52/8, McDowell, WV
Built 1932 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,300
US 52
FairOver: ELKHORN CREEK
0.11 MI. W. OF CR 10, McDowell, WV
Built 1936 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,500
CR 12/6
FairOver: CUCUMBER CREEK
0.11 MI E OF WV 16, McDowell, WV
Built 1915 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 200
CR 80/3
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.01 MI. OF WV. 80, McDowell, WV
Built 1980 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 50
CR 9
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.22 MI N OF CR 9/5, McDowell, WV
Built 1986 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 450
WEST VIRGINIA 16
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.15 MI NORTH OF CO 102/2, McDowell, WV
Built 1995 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 2,000
HARP 902/68
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.01 Mi. East Of Co.161/4, McDowell, WV
Built 2007 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 20
COUNTY ROUTE 1/1
FairOver: FOURPOLE CREEK
2.65 MI N OF CR 1, McDowell, WV
Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 200
US ROUTE 52
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.03 MI W OF WV 103, McDowell, WV
Built 1957 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,700
WV 635
FairOver: BRADSHAW CREEK
0.04 MILE S OF WV 83, McDowell, WV
Built 2002 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 950
COUNTY ROUTE 52/90
FairOver: ELKHORN CREEK
0.01 MI EAST OF CO 52/90, McDowell, WV
Built 2000 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 250
HARP 901/44
FairOver: CLEAR FORK
0.02 MI SOUTH OF CO 2, McDowell, WV
Built 1950 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 10
CR 9
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.65 MI S OF CR 9/2, McDowell, WV
Built 1986 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 300
COUNTY ROUTE 80/5
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.01 MILE E OF WV 80, McDowell, WV
Built 1998 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 30
HARP 901/59
FairOver: Laurel Branch
0.01 Mile E. of CR. 52/4, McDowell, WV
Built 2002 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 30
County Route 4
FairOver: Davy Branch
0.01 Mi. North of Co. 4/2, McDowell, WV
Built 2011 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 100
Harp Route 994
FairOver: Middle Fork
0.01 Mi. W of Wv 635, McDowell, WV
Built 1999 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 60
CR 8
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.03 MI S OF CR 84, McDowell, WV
Built 1997 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 200
County Route 5/3
FairOver: Dry Fork
0.04 Miles South of WV 80, McDowell, WV
Built 2014 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 150
COUNTY ROUTE 12/4
FairOver: WAR CREEK
0.07 MI. S. OF CR. 12/11, McDowell, WV
Built 1947 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 500
County Route 1
FairOver: Tug Fork
0.01 Mile West of CR 3, McDowell, WV
Built 2013 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 1,200
County Route 3
FairOver: Panther Creek
0.01 Mi. East of CO 3/4, McDowell, WV
Built 2018 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,200
CO 52/83
FairOver: ELKHORN CREEK
0.01 MI. N. OF US 52 Alt., McDowell, WV
Built 2019 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 80
CR 52/21
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.01 MI.N.OF US 52, McDowell, WV
Built 1980 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 150
COUNTY ROUTE 80/2
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.02 MILE EAST OF WV 80, McDowell, WV
Built 2006 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 150
CO 12/4
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.01 MI SOUTH OF WV 16, McDowell, WV
Built 2001 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 2,200
WV Route 80
FairOver: Bradshaw Creek
0.02 Mi. N. Of Wv 80, McDowell, WV
Built 2012 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,800
County Route 7
FairOver: Tug Fork
1.28 MI. E OF CR 7/11, McDowell, WV
Built 2022 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 500
COUNTY ROUTE 8
FairOver: BALLARD HARMON BRANCH
0.05 MILE NORTH OF CO 8/1, McDowell, WV
Built 2007 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 200
CO 52/6
FairOver: LAUREL BRANCH
0.59 MI NORTH OF CO 52/35, McDowell, WV
Built 2009 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 300
COUNTY ROUTE 83/2
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.01 MI N OF WV 83, McDowell, WV
Built 2009 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 350
WV 80
FairOver: OozleyBranch
0.11 MI. N. OF CR 5/6, McDowell, WV
Built 2008 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,800
County Route17
FairOver: Elkhorn Creek
0.12 miles North of CR 14, McDowell, WV
Built 2017 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 350
COUNTY ROUTE 11
FairOver: DRY FORK
0.04 MI. E. OF CR. 9, McDowell, WV
Built 1985 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 500
CR. 102/3
FairOver: TUG FORK
0.01 MI. W. OF WV 103, McDowell, WV
Built 1979 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 20
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.