US Bridges

Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek

Poor

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · Palm 2804E02 · Structure no. 000000000027578

Built
1898
127 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
68 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
464
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1898, so it is 127 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 464 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 757 by 2032. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPalm Hill Road
CrossesPerkiomen Creek
LocationPalm 2804E02
RouteState Highway 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.42552, -75.53323
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic464 (2024)
Projected traffic757 by 2032
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$254,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek built?

It was built in 1898, making it 127 years old in 2025.

What condition is Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2024.

How much traffic does Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek carry?

About 464 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Palm Hill Road over Perkiomen Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.