US Bridges

Mill Road over Watson Creek

FairPosted for load

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · Buckingham Twp. 2923-H10 · Structure no. 000000000007526

Built
1912
113 years old, rebuilt 2021
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
36 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
1997 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mill Road over Watson Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Mill Road over Watson Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1912 and reconstructed in 2021, so it is 113 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 140 by 2011. The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMill Road
CrossesWatson Creek
LocationBuckingham Twp. 2923-H10
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.31647, -75.08057
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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating81 US tons
Inventory rating48 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length36 ft (11 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1997)
Projected traffic140 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$288,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mill Road over Watson Creek built?

It was built in 1912, making it 113 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2021.

What condition is Mill Road over Watson 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 2024.

How much traffic does Mill Road over Watson Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1997 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Mill Road over Watson Creek?

The structure is 36 ft (11 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Mill Road over Watson Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.