US Bridges

County Park Road over French Creek

FairPosted for load

Chester County, Pennsylvania · 0.2 MI S of PA-23 3249-D3 · Structure no. 000000000010697

Built
1915
110 years old, rebuilt 1978
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
88 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
491
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Park Road over French Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Park Road over French Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1915 and reconstructed in 1978, so it is 110 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 491 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 540 by 2023. The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Park Road
CrossesFrench Creek
Location0.2 MI S of PA-23 3249-D3
RouteCity Street 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.16997, -75.7254
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadUnknown
Structure length88 ft (26.8 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic491 (2018)
Projected traffic540 by 2023
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$995,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Park Road over French Creek built?

It was built in 1915, making it 110 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1978.

What condition is County Park Road over French 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does County Park Road over French Creek carry?

About 491 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is County Park Road over French Creek?

The structure is 88 ft (26.8 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns County Park Road over French Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.