US Bridges

Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek

Fair

Chester County, Pennsylvania · West Brandywine 3469-H3 · Structure no. 000000000010691

Built
1914
111 years old, rebuilt 2016
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
286
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1914 and reconstructed in 2016, so it is 111 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 5 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 286 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 333 by 2042. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLafayette RD(T437)
CrossesWest Br Brandywine Creek
LocationWest Brandywine 3469-H3
RouteCity Street 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.04432, -75.83055
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span52 ft (15.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic286 (2022)
Projected traffic333 by 2042
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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$447,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek built?

It was built in 1914, making it 111 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2016.

What condition is Lafayette RD(T437) 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek carry?

About 286 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 52 ft (15.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Lafayette RD(T437) over West Br Brandywine Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.