US Bridges

Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek

Fair

Preston County, West Virginia · 0.71 MI North CO Rt 13 · Structure no. 00000000039A006

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
122 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
350
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek in Preston County, West Virginia. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 495 by 2041. The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long and 31 ft wide.

Location

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CarriesPreston Co. Rt. 3
CrossesLittle Sandy Creek
Location0.71 MI North CO Rt 13
RouteCounty Highway 300
CountyPreston County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.63016, -79.62021
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length122 ft (37.2 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic350 (2022)
Projected traffic495 by 2041
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek carry?

About 350 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek?

The structure is 122 ft (37.2 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Preston Co. Rt. 3 over Little Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.