US Bridges

Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek

Fair

Chester County, Pennsylvania · Seeds Bridge 40C3 · Structure no. 000000000010263

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2022
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
272 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,478
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger 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 2,478 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,579 by 2032. The structure is 272 ft (82.9 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesWawaset-Unionville
CrossesWest Br Brandywine Creek
LocationSeeds Bridge 40C3
RouteState Highway 842
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.92617, -75.663
Functional classRural Major 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length272 ft (82.9 m)
Longest span91 ft (27.7 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.4 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,478 (2023)
Projected traffic2,579 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine 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 2022.

How much traffic does Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek carry?

About 2,478 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek?

The structure is 272 ft (82.9 m) long with a longest span of 91 ft (27.7 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Wawaset-Unionville over West Br Brandywine Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.