US Bridges

Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek

Good

Chester County, Pennsylvania · Near Hickory Hill 52D6 · Structure no. 000000000010450

Built
1925
100 years old, rebuilt 2021
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
75 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
484
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek is a steel truss - thru carrying Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1925 and reconstructed in 2021, so it is 100 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 8 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 484 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 911 by 2032. The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesSaginaw Road
CrossesBig Elk Creek
LocationNear Hickory Hill 52D6
RouteState Highway 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.76226, -75.92059
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length75 ft (22.9 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic484 (2023)
Projected traffic911 by 2032
Trucks11%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$150,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2021.

What condition is Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek carry?

About 484 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek?

The structure is 75 ft (22.9 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Saginaw Road over Big Elk Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.