US Bridges

Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68

Poor

Preston County, West Virginia · 0.17 MI South CO Rt 5/7 · Structure no. 00000000039A012

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
283 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
500
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68 in Preston County, West Virginia. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 4 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.

It carries about 500 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 705 by 2041. The structure is 283 ft (86.3 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesPreston CO Rt 5
CrossesI-68
Location0.17 MI South CO Rt 5/7
RouteCounty Highway 500
CountyPreston County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.65796, -79.53302
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating79 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length283 ft (86.3 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.7 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (2022)
Projected traffic705 by 2041
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$2.1 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68 built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68 carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68?

The structure is 283 ft (86.3 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.7 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Preston CO Rt 5 over I-68?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.