US Bridges

Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek

Fair

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania · Brubakers · Structure no. 000000000021287

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
117 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
11,455
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 11,455 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 13,534 by 2032. The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPa 501; Furn. Hill
CrossesHammer Creek
LocationBrubakers
RouteState Highway 501
CountyLancaster County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.19888, -76.30208
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.
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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length117 ft (35.7 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,455 (2024)
Projected traffic13,534 by 2032
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$1.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek carry?

About 11,455 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek?

The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Pa 501; Furn. Hill over Hammer Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.