US Bridges

Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek

FairPosted for load

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · 1000 (s)of SR0073 3029C7 · Structure no. 000000000027816

Built
1888
137 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Arch - Thru
Steel
Length
138 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
750
2015 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek is a steel arch - thru carrying Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1888 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 137 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 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 750 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,000 by 2035. The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesGerloff Road
CrossesSwamp Creek
Location1000 (s)of SR0073 3029C7
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.27463, -75.48514
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating74 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length138 ft (42.1 m)
Longest span134 ft (40.8 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.6 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic750 (2015)
Projected traffic1,000 by 2035
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1888, making it 137 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Gerloff 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek carry?

About 750 vehicles per day (2015 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek?

The structure is 138 ft (42.1 m) long with a longest span of 134 ft (40.8 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Gerloff Road over Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.