US Bridges

Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · S.Stenton Avenue 30D10 · Structure no. 000000000027713

Built
1904
121 years old, rebuilt 1975
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
87 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
6,927
2024 count
Owner
Railroad
Railroad

About this bridge

Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1904 and reconstructed in 1975, so it is 121 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 6,927 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,741 by 2032. The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesJoshua Road
CrossesNorfolk Southern
LocationS.Stenton Avenue 30D10
RouteState Highway 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.10878, -75.24558
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating68 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length87 ft (26.5 m)
Longest span81 ft (24.7 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.9 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,927 (2024)
Projected traffic9,741 by 2032
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerRailroad
Maintained byRailroad
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern built?

It was built in 1904, making it 121 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1975.

What condition is Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern carry?

About 6,927 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern?

The structure is 87 ft (26.5 m) long with a longest span of 81 ft (24.7 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Joshua Road over Norfolk Southern?

It is owned by the Railroad.