US Bridges

Central Avenue over Tacony Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · At Central Ave. 3481E01 · Structure no. 000000000027639

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5,619
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Central Avenue over Tacony Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Central Avenue over Tacony Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 96 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 5,619 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,695 by 2032. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCentral Avenue
CrossesTacony Creek
LocationAt Central Ave. 3481E01
RouteState Highway 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.05985, -75.09583
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being 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 rating58 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span41 ft (12.5 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,619 (2023)
Projected traffic5,695 by 2032
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$123,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Central Avenue over Tacony Creek built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Central Avenue over Tacony 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 2022.

How much traffic does Central Avenue over Tacony Creek carry?

About 5,619 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Central Avenue over Tacony Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 41 ft (12.5 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns Central Avenue over Tacony Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.