US Bridges

Marple Avenue over Darby Creek

Fair

Delaware County, Pennsylvania · 300 Ft N SR2016 Adc 21-F5 · Structure no. 000000000015410

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
394 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
4,066
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Marple Avenue over Darby Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Marple Avenue over Darby Creek in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 97 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.

It carries about 4,066 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,528 by 2042. The structure is 394 ft (120.1 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesMarple Avenue
CrossesDarby Creek
Location300 Ft N SR2016 Adc 21-F5
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDelaware County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.93341, -75.28995
Functional classUrban 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.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length394 ft (120.1 m)
Longest span257 ft (78.3 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,066 (2022)
Projected traffic4,528 by 2042
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Marple Avenue over Darby Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Marple Avenue over Darby 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Marple Avenue over Darby Creek carry?

About 4,066 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Marple Avenue over Darby Creek?

The structure is 394 ft (120.1 m) long with a longest span of 257 ft (78.3 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Marple Avenue over Darby Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.