Deteriorating conditions on the 113-year-old Bull Run Bridge in Preston County have led West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) engineers to close the bridge to vehicular traffic.
The bridge, built in 1912, is on an isolated section of gravel road accessible mainly by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The aging bridge has become a popular tourist destination, but there are no homes or businesses that are served by the span.
WVDOH District 4 Manager Earl Gaskins said the bridge was built before the WVDOH was established, and was taken into the state highway system in the 1930s. In 1993, a three-ton weight restriction was placed on the structure.
The WVDOH has since made repairs to the bridge to keep it open for tourists, but the span has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer considered safe for traffic.
“This bridge recently received its annual inspection, at which time a number of major deficiencies were identified resulting in severe safety concerns,” Gaskins said. “The deficiencies found were unrepairable and severe enough to deem the bridge unsafe for all vehicular traffic.
“Since this bridge does not serve any dwellings or businesses there are no immediate plans to repair or replace the structure at this time,” Gaskins said.
