US Bridges

Big Road over Swamp Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · Hickory Park 2915K10 · Structure no. 000000000027193

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
104 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
16,092
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Big Road over Swamp Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Big Road over Swamp Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 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 16,092 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,658 by 2032. The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBig Road
CrossesSwamp Creek
LocationHickory Park 2915K10
RouteState Highway 73
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.31889, -75.56742
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionAugust 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 geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating86 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length104 ft (31.7 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width52 ft (16 m)
Roadway width49 ft (14.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic16,092 (2024)
Projected traffic18,658 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 Big Road over Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Big Road over Swamp 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Big Road over Swamp Creek carry?

About 16,092 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Big Road over Swamp Creek?

The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Big Road over Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.