US Bridges

Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail

FairPosted for load

Chester County, Pennsylvania · 0.1 MI S SR 252 3365-J10 · Structure no. 000000000010823

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
56 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
720
2012 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 125 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 720 vehicles a day, projected to reach 940 by 2032. The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesContention Lane
CrossesChester Valley Trail
Location0.1 MI S SR 252 3365-J10
RouteCity Street 0
CountyChester County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.06807, -75.44578
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.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating32 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length56 ft (17.1 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic720 (2012)
Projected traffic940 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesPedestrian / bicycle
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township 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$624,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail 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 2023.

How much traffic does Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail carry?

About 720 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail?

The structure is 56 ft (17.1 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Contention Lane over Chester Valley Trail?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.