US Bridges

North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass

Fair

Chester County, Pennsylvania · North West Chester 32A07 · Structure no. 000000000010205

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
77 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
800
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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.

It carries about 800 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,040 by 2032. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNorth Penn Drive
CrossesWest Chester By-Pass
LocationNorth West Chester 32A07
RouteState Highway 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.97686, -75.60661
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span75 ft (22.9 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic800 (2024)
Projected traffic1,040 by 2032
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$406,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass 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 2024.

How much traffic does North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass carry?

About 800 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 75 ft (22.9 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns North Penn Drive over West Chester By-Pass?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.