US Bridges

Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek

Fair

Berks County, Pennsylvania · Near Pa Route 73 · Structure no. 000000000005412

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
1990 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 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 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 350 by 2010. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBertolet Mil
CrossesFurnace Creek
LocationNear Pa Route 73
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBerks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.38294, -75.76171
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (1990)
Projected traffic350 by 2010
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$84,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bertolet Mil over Furnace 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (1990 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Bertolet Mil over Furnace Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.