US Bridges

River Road over Houghs Creek

Fair

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · S.Washington Cros. 33A05 · Structure no. 000000000006787

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
62 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,958
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Houghs Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying River Road over Houghs Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 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 3,958 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,519 by 2032. The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesHoughs Creek
LocationS.Washington Cros. 33A05
RouteState Highway 32
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.27771, -74.85894
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
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 inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length62 ft (18.9 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,958 (2024)
Projected traffic4,519 by 2032
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over Houghs Creek built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Houghs 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does River Road over Houghs Creek carry?

About 3,958 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Houghs Creek?

The structure is 62 ft (18.9 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Houghs Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.