US Bridges

Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek

Fair

Delaware County, Pennsylvania · East of US 322 32K12 · Structure no. 000000000015342

Built
1927
98 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,685
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1927, so it is 98 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 4,685 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,712 by 2032. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSmith Bridge Road
CrossesWest Br. Chester Creek
LocationEast of US 322 32K12
RouteState Highway 0
CountyDelaware County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.8808, -75.47817
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
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 inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,685 (2023)
Projected traffic6,712 by 2032
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$876,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025.

What condition is Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek carry?

About 4,685 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Smith Bridge Road over West Br. Chester Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.