US Bridges

Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · East of Penna 309 3369H02 · Structure no. 000000000027212

Built
1958
67 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
14,404
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1958, so it is 67 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 14,404 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,943 by 2032. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 79 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChurch Road
CrossesBranch Wissahickon Creek
LocationEast of Penna 309 3369H02
RouteState Highway 73
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.11262, -75.20019
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating56 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width79 ft (24.2 m)
Roadway width66 ft (20 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic14,404 (2024)
Projected traffic18,943 by 2032
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025.

What condition is Church Road over Branch Wissahickon 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek carry?

About 14,404 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 79 ft wide.

Who owns Church Road over Branch Wissahickon Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.