US Bridges

Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek

Fair

Preston County, West Virginia · 0.06 MI South CO Rt 20/1 · Structure no. 00000000039A043

Built
1918
107 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek in Preston County, West Virginia. It was built in 1918, so it is 107 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2041. The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long and 18 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPreston CO Rt 20
CrossesMuddy Creek
Location0.06 MI South CO Rt 20/1
RouteCounty Highway 2000
CountyPreston County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.58505, -79.56664
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating52 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length31 ft (9.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.9 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2022)
Projected traffic350 by 2041
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$512,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek built?

It was built in 1918, making it 107 years old in 2025.

What condition is Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy 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 20 over Muddy Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.9 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Preston CO Rt 20 over Muddy Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.