Historic Bridges in West Virginia
1,245 bridges built before 1951 in West Virginia still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 1,245 bridges in West Virginia built before 1951 that remain in active service. These structures are 75+ years old — many predate modern engineering codes and were not designed for today's traffic volumes and vehicle weights. The average design life of a bridge is 50 years, making these aging structures a significant infrastructure concern.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 50 |
| BUCKHANNON RIVER | West Virginia | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 4,200 |
| TURKEY RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 4,100 |
| MILLERS FORK | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 150 |
| WOLF CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,100 |
| Knob Fork | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,300 |
| Little Kanawha River | West Virginia | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 19,300 |
| N. FORK CRANBERRY RIVER | West Virginia | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 50 |
| CHERRY RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 900 |
| TILLHANCE CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 600 |
| HEATH CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 4,200 |
| Smithers Ck. & CR 21/15 | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 6,632 |
| SOUTH MILL CK. | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 400 |
| WALTON RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 400 |
| WYCROFF RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 90 |
| NORTH FORK OF LUNICE CRK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 650 |
| LUNICE CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 600 |
| BROWNS CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 1,300 |
| S. FORK LTL.CACAPON RV. | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| MILL CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 60 |
| Howards Lick | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 450 |
| WV 61 KANAWHA R CSX | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 13,192 |
| GREENBRIER FORK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 750 |
| ELKHORN CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 40 |
| BARRENSHE CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 150 |
| ELKHORN CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,500 |
| DRY FORK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 20 |
| WAR CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 90 |
| WAR CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 90 |
| RT BR OF BARTHOLOMEW FK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| Grandstaff Run | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 850 |
| BRANCH OF SIXTEENMILE CK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 250 |
| BRUSH CREEK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 1,900 |
| LAUREL CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,400 |
| EAST RIVER | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 40 |
| RIGHTHAND FORK | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 90 |
| RIGHT HAND FORK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 30 |
| RIGHTHAND FORK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 30 |
| BRUSH CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 300 |
| NEW CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| HORSESHOE CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 300 |
| LIMESTONE RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 350 |
| DARNELL RUN | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,800 |
| CACAPON RIVER | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 250 |
| TROUT RUN | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 10 |
| LICK RUN | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 250 |
| DECKERS CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 150 |
| PRINGLE RUN | West Virginia | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 950 |
| Preston Co Rt 64 | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,300 |
| DECKERS CREEK | West Virginia | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 100 |
About Historic Bridge Data
Bridges built before 1951 are classified as historic in this database. Many were designed to 1940s standards with lower load limits and narrower lanes. While FHWA requires regular inspections of all bridges regardless of age, older structures often require more frequent monitoring and rehabilitation investment.