US Bridges

Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek

FairPosted for load

Chester County, Pennsylvania · Near Cochranville 35D10 · Structure no. 000000000010518

Built
1885
140 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Aluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
Length
89 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
130
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek is a aluminum, wrought iron, or cast iron truss - thru carrying Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1885 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 140 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 130 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 200 by 2032. The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoss Fording Road
CrossesOctoraro Creek
LocationNear Cochranville 35D10
RouteState Highway 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.88281, -75.99167
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 inspectionMay 2024
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating21.1 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialAluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length89 ft (27.1 m)
Longest span88 ft (26.8 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2023)
Projected traffic200 by 2032
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$692,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek built?

It was built in 1885, making it 140 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is Ross Fording Road over Octoraro 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek?

The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long with a longest span of 88 ft (26.8 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Ross Fording Road over Octoraro Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.