US Bridges

Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek

FairPosted for load

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · 0.85 MI SE SR 563 2808J8 · Structure no. 000000000007515

Built
1883
142 years old, rebuilt 1937
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
86 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2000 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1883 and reconstructed in 1937, so it is 142 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 250 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 70 by 2011. The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long and 17 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSchwenk Mill Road
CrossesE. Br. Perkiomen Creek
Location0.85 MI SE SR 563 2808J8
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.39031, -75.25942
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be 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 rating18 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length86 ft (26.2 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width17 ft (5.2 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2000)
Projected traffic70 by 2011
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$621,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek built?

It was built in 1883, making it 142 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1937.

What condition is Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (2000 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek?

The structure is 86 ft (26.2 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 17 ft wide.

Who owns Schwenk Mill Road over E. Br. Perkiomen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.