US Bridges

Garman Road over Sacony Creek

PoorPosted for load

Berks County, Pennsylvania · Heffners Bridge · Structure no. 000000000005364

Built
1905
120 years old, rebuilt 1956
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
81 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
65
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Garman Road over Sacony Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Garman Road over Sacony Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1905 and reconstructed in 1956, so it is 120 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 65 vehicles a day, projected to reach 197 by 2043. The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesGarman Road
CrossesSacony Creek
LocationHeffners Bridge
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBerks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.53259, -75.85347
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating24 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length81 ft (24.7 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.4 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deck12 ft (3.8 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (2023)
Projected traffic197 by 2043
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$55,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Garman Road over Sacony Creek built?

It was built in 1905, making it 120 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1956.

What condition is Garman Road over Sacony Creek 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Garman Road over Sacony Creek carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Garman Road over Sacony Creek?

The structure is 81 ft (24.7 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Garman Road over Sacony Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.