State profile · Above median Poor share

West Virginia bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in West Virginia.

7,348
Public bridges
25.2%
Good condition
18.6%
Poor condition

West Virginia holds 7,348 public highway bridges (#31 of 52 by inventory) with a 18.64% Poor share (#2 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 18.6% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 52 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

7,348

Public highway bridges in West Virginia

Good Condition

25.2%

1,855 bridges rated 7-9

-24.8pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

18.6%

1,370 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

11.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

West Virginia vs national bridge condition

West Virginia - Good condition share 25.2%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

West Virginia - Poor-condition share 62.1%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

West Virginia in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: West Virginia has 7,348 bridges and a 18.6% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #52 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: West Virginia has 7,348 bridges and a 18.6% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #52 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

West Virginia vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

7,348 31st of 54 higher than 23 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for West Virginia

The highlighted point is West Virginia: 7,348 bridges and 18.64% in Poor condition, rank #52 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below West Virginia on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Maine: 2,518 bridges · 15.41% Poor
  • South Dakota: 5,887 bridges · 16.36% Poor
  • West Virginia: 7,348 bridges · 18.64% Poor
  • Iowa: 23,719 bridges · 19.16% Poor
  • Virgin Islands: 24 bridges · 29.17% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in West Virginia

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 7,348 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains West Virginia’s inventory

State agency holds 97.4% of the 7,348 public highway bridges filed under West Virginia in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When West Virginia’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 16.0% of the 7,348 bridges with a recorded original year in West Virginia. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

West Virginia25.2%56.1%18.6%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - West Virginia (FHWA NBI)

Counties (55)

Barbour 93 Berkeley 119 Boone 131 Braxton 148 Brooke 57 Cabell 207 Calhoun 49 Clay 87 Doddridge 99 Fayette 211 Gilmer 106 Grant 97 Greenbrier 207 Hampshire 92 Hancock 29 Hardy 131 Harrison 256 Jackson 191 Jefferson 45 Kanawha 554 Lewis 159 Lincoln 118 Logan 236 Marion 193 Marshall 85 Mason 137 McDowell 225 Mercer 174 Mineral 63 Mingo 165 Monongalia 203 Monroe 63 Morgan 55 Nicholas 97 Ohio 115 Pendleton 114 Pleasants 25 Pocahontas 118 Preston 182 Putnam 135 Raleigh 224 Randolph 190 Ritchie 127 Roane 130 Summers 66 Taylor 65 Tucker 69 Tyler 73 Upshur 99 Wayne 163 Webster 82 Wetzel 107 Wirt 42 Wood 180 Wyoming 160

West Virginia vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below West Virginia on the same metric.

ME

Maine

15.41% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$2,518

SD

South Dakota

16.36% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,887
Selected

WV

West Virginia

18.64% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$7,348

IA

Iowa

19.16% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$23,719

VI

Virgin Islands

29.17% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24

Bridges Needing Most Attention in West Virginia

Six lowest-condition bridges in West Virginia, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

COUNTY ROUTE 40/15

Poor

Over: LITTLE BIRCH RIVER

0.03 MI S OF CO 40, Braxton, WV

Built 1905 Load: 0.0 t

WV ROUTE 2 SPUR

Poor

Over: Ohio River OH-7 R.R.

0.34 Mi West Jct. WV 2, Brooke, WV

Built 1904 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 11,500

DODDRIDGE CO RT 56

Poor

Over: BRUSHY FORK

0.73 MI SOUTH CO RT 25, Doddridge, WV

Built 1981 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY ROUTE 19/31

Poor

Over: SCRABBLE CREEK

0.01 Miles N. of CR 19/8, Fayette, WV

Built 1920 Load: 0.0 t

COUNTY ROUTE 13

Poor

Over: CR 13/2 Kanawha R. CSX R

0.01 Miles S. of US 60, Fayette, WV

Built 1928 Load: 0.0 t

US. 50 T

Poor

Over: STONY RIVER

0.04 MI W OF CR 50/3 SLS, Grant, WV

Built 1931 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1,700

All Bridges in West Virginia

CR 35

Poor

Over: GRAPEVINE BRANCH

0.04 MI SOUTH OF CR 35/1, Cabell, WV

Built 1983 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 1,300

DODD CO 50/30

Poor

Over: BUCKEYE RUN

0.17 MI WEST CO RT 50/15, Doddridge, WV

Built 1947 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 850

WV 68

Poor

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

0.07 MI.S.OF CR.8, Jackson, WV

Built 1948 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 3,000

CR 15

Poor

Over: MIDDLE FORK OF DAVIS CK

0.98 MI N OF CR 15/3, Kanawha, WV

Built 1974 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 150

I-77 NB

Poor

Over: POCATALICO RIVER

1.14 MILE N OF WV 622, Kanawha, WV

Built 1959 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 16,100

CR 5

Poor

Over: TRACE FORK

0.06 MI SOUTH OF CR 5/8, Lincoln, WV

Built 1987 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 450

CR 13

Poor

Over: COW CREEK

0.58 MILE WEST OF WV 44, Logan, WV

Built 2000 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 700

West Virginia 2

Poor

Over: Big Grave Creek

0.10 mi. North jct WV 2A, Marshall, WV

Built 1973 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 9,200

County Route 88/4

Poor

Over: Brandu Run

0.40 mi. East jct CR 10, Marshall, WV

Built 1982 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 10

PRESTON CO RT 5

Poor

Over: I-68

0.17 MI SOUTH CO RT 5/7, Preston, WV

Built 1973 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 500

I 64 WB

Poor

Over: CR 29 & ROCKY STEP RUN

2.83 MI EAST OF WV 34 F, Putnam, WV

Built 1959 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 26,150

US 219

Poor

Over: ELKWATER FORK

0.16 MI.S. OF CR 58, Randolph, WV

Built 1994 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 1,500

C. R. 51

Poor

Over: TYGART VALLEY RIVER

0.01 MI S JCT U S 219, Randolph, WV

Built 1991 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 100

COUNTY ROUTE 11

Poor

Over: MIDDLE FORK RIVER

0.01 MI E OF CO 36, Barbour, WV

Built 1940 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 100

CR 10/2

Poor

Over: COX CREEK

0.03 MILE W OF CR 10/1, Boone, WV

Built 1993 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 40

WV 106 (EXIT RAMP)

Poor

Over: 3200 Block Guyandotte R

0.40 MI NORTH OF US 60, Cabell, WV

Built 1985 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 17,000

CR 49

Poor

Over: MADISON CREEK

0.25 MILE WEST OF CR 49/3, Cabell, WV

Built 1997 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 3,300

US ROUTE 50

Poor

Over: US 19 & WV 20

1.22 MI EAST CO RT 9, Harrison, WV

Built 1977 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 26,100

COUNTY ROUTE 1/4

Poor

Over: HORSE CREEK

1.28 MI. S. OF CR 1, McDowell, WV

Built 1990 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 150

WV 83

Poor

Over: DRY FORK

0.19 MI. E. OF CR. 38/26, McDowell, WV

Built 1979 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,200

CO 9/5

Poor

Over: DRY FORK

0.01 MI. WEST OF CO 9, McDowell, WV

Built 1997 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 150

CO 83/15

Poor

Over: BRADSHAW CREEK

0.01 MILE SOUTH OF WV 83, McDowell, WV

Built 2002 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 10

CR 36

Poor

Over: LOWER FIVEMILE CREEK

0.45 MI E OF CR 25 SLS, Mason, WV

Built 1980 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 200

CR 02 SLS

Poor

Over: ABRAM CREEK

0.02 MI S OF CR 2/1 SLS, Mineral, WV

Built 1942 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 90

WV 12

Poor

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.08 Miles South of CR 27, Monroe, WV

Built 1946 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 968

US 33

Poor

Over: TYGART VALLEY R. & CSX R

1.30 MI WEST JCT US 250, Randolph, WV

Built 1994 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 4,500

US ROUTE 250

Poor

Over: WV FORK OF FISH CREEK

0.50 MI NORTH JCT CR 16, Wetzel, WV

Built 1979 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,000

WV. 97

Poor

Over: GUYANDOTTE RIVER

0.06 MI. W. OF CR. 7/5, Wyoming, WV

Built 1975 Load: 43.5 t ADT: 1,900

WV 2 N (Ramp E)

Poor

Over: US 22 & Ramp G

2.11 mi. East OHIO LINE, Brooke, WV

Built 1993 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 11,200

BUCKHANNON AVENUE

Poor

Over: ELK CREEK

ON BUCKHANNON AVENUE, Harrison, WV

Built 1949 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 500

CR 10/3

Poor

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

0.13 MI. S. OF CR. 8, Jackson, WV

Built 1977 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 20

COUNTY ROUTE 26

Poor

Over: RT FORK OF TWOMILE CK

0.01 MI N OF CR 26/4, Kanawha, WV

Built 1951 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 550

CR 83/13

Poor

Over: LITTLE SLATE CREEK

0.28 MI N OF CR 83/25, McDowell, WV

Built 1978 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 600

COUNTY ROUTE 27/3

Poor

Over: NS RAILROAD

0.01 MILE E. OF CO. 27, Mercer, WV

Built 1997 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 3,400

US 52

Poor

Over: UPPER BURNING CK & NS RR

0.12 MI WEST OF CR 52/36, Mingo, WV

Built 1977 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 3,700

COUNTY ROUTE 33/1

Poor

Over: STONECOAL CREEK

0.02 MI. EAST OF CO 33, Raleigh, WV

Built 1936 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROUTE 10/14

Poor

Over: LAUREL FORK

0.07 MI S JCT CO 3/3 SLS, Upshur, WV

Built 1978 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 20

COUNTY ROUTE 7

Poor

Over: SOMERVILLE FK OF R REEDY

0.01 MILE WEST OF CR 20, Wirt, WV

Built 1987 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 400

COUNTY ROUTE 10/29

Poor

Over: BARKERS CREEK

0.01 MI NORTH OF 10/18, Wyoming, WV

Built 2000 Load: 44.4 t ADT: 20

FR 1678

Poor

Over: N. FORK DEER CREEK

4 MILES E OF ARBOVALE, Pocahontas, WV

Built 1985 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 20

COUNTY ROUTE 22

Poor

Over: PICKLES FORK OF SALTLICK

0.02 MI S CO 22/2, Braxton, WV

Built 1940 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 200

County Route 20

Poor

Over: Pierce Run

0.70 Mi. East Jct. WV 67, Brooke, WV

Built 1985 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 250

CR 12

Poor

Over: RIGHT FK NINEMILE CK

0.04 MI EAST OF CR 12/1, Cabell, WV

Built 1984 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 150

CR 43/1

Poor

Over: RACCOON CREEK

0.08 MI EAST OF CR 43, Cabell, WV

Built 1983 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 20

DODD CO 50/30

Poor

Over: BUCKEYE RUN

0.70 MI WEST CO RT 50/34, Doddridge, WV

Built 1947 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 850

COUNTY ROUTE 12/4

Poor

Over: WAR CREEK

0.13 MILE S OF WV 16, McDowell, WV

Built 2004 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 2,200

CR 29

Poor

Over: CRAB CREEK

0.37 MI E OF CR 29/16, Mason, WV

Built 1979 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 750

CO. RT. 39

Poor

Over: TRACE CREEK

0.10 MI E OF WV 34, Putnam, WV

Built 1993 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 300

CR 44

Poor

Over: BILLS CREEK

0.92 MI N OF CR 42, Putnam, WV

Built 1971 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 400

COUNTY ROUTE 30

Poor

Over: WINDING GULF

0.64 MI. WEST OF CR. 32, Raleigh, WV

Built 1968 Load: 45.4 t ADT: 150

Showing 7,151-7,200 of 7,348 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What to do with this

Use West Virginia's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in West Virginia and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. West Virginia Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.