US Bridges

Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek

Fair

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · West of Chalfont 27G03 · Structure no. 000000000007113

Built
1915
110 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,903
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1915, so it is 110 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 3,903 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,773 by 2032. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRailroad Avenue
CrossesReading Creek
LocationWest of Chalfont 27G03
RouteState Highway 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.28608, -75.22794
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width16 ft (5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,903 (2024)
Projected traffic5,773 by 2032
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$367,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025.

What condition is Railroad Avenue over Reading 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 2023.

How much traffic does Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek carry?

About 3,903 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Railroad Avenue over Reading Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.