US Bridges

Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek

Fair

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania · 0.83 MI SE of SR 4013 · Structure no. 000000000014720

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
58 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2018 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 years old, younger 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 280 by 2038. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBack Road T-551
CrossesPowell Creek
Location0.83 MI SE of SR 4013
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDauphin County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.44281, -76.87262
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.
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 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating49.1 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.6 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2018)
Projected traffic280 by 2038
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

What condition is Back Road T-551 over Powell 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 Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Back Road T-551 over Powell Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.