US Bridges

PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek

Fair

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania · 0.5 Mi. N. of Hershey · Structure no. 000000000014208

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2022
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
317 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
13,843
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 13,843 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,085 by 2032. The structure is 317 ft (96.6 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPA-39;HERSHEY Rd.
CrossesSwatara Creek
Location0.5 Mi. N. of Hershey
RouteState Highway 39
CountyDauphin County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.2933, -76.67468
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating15 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20
Structure length317 ft (96.6 m)
Longest span86 ft (26.2 m)
Deck width36 ft (10.9 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,843 (2024)
Projected traffic21,085 by 2032
Trucks3%
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$959,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara 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 October 2022.

How much traffic does PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek carry?

About 13,843 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek?

The structure is 317 ft (96.6 m) long with a longest span of 86 ft (26.2 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns PA-39;HERSHEY Rd. over Swatara Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.