US Bridges

Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek

FairPosted for load

Berks County, Pennsylvania · Bethel Twp Line · Structure no. 000000000047957

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
400
2013 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 400 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2023. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMidway Road
CrossesLittle Swatara Creek
LocationBethel Twp Line
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBerks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.47794, -76.2419
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating43 US tons
Inventory rating26 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (2013)
Projected traffic450 by 2023
Trucks1%
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

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Midway Road over Little Swatara 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 October 2022.

How much traffic does Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek carry?

About 400 vehicles per day (2013 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Midway Road over Little Swatara Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.