US Bridges

Preston CO 73/12 over I-68

Poor

Preston County, West Virginia · 0.05 MI South CO Rt 73/73 · Structure no. 00000000039A100

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
232 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
350
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Preston CO 73/12 over I-68 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Preston CO 73/12 over I-68 in Preston County, West Virginia. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 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 350 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 495 by 2041. The structure is 232 ft (70.7 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesPreston CO 73/12
CrossesI-68
Location0.05 MI South CO Rt 73/73
RouteCounty Highway 7312
CountyPreston County
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.65849, -79.78051
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length232 ft (70.7 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.8 m)
Deck width43 ft (13 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.7 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
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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$494,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Preston CO 73/12 over I-68 built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Preston CO 73/12 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 73/12 over I-68 carry?

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

How long is Preston CO 73/12 over I-68?

The structure is 232 ft (70.7 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.8 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns Preston CO 73/12 over I-68?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.