US Bridges

37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR

Fair

Blair County, Pennsylvania · 37 TH ST Altoona · Structure no. 000000000005985

Built
1985
40 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
204 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,878
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1985, so it is 40 years old, younger 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 4,878 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,570 by 2043. The structure is 204 ft (62.2 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries37th Street
CrossesNorfolk Southern RR
Location37 TH ST Altoona
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBlair County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.48974, -78.41741
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating65 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+3 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length204 ft (62.2 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width40 ft (12.1 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,878 (2023)
Projected traffic6,570 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR built?

It was built in 1985, making it 40 years old in 2025.

What condition is 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR carry?

About 4,878 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR?

The structure is 204 ft (62.2 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns 37th Street over Norfolk Southern RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.