US Bridges

Church Road over Swamp Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · 0.88 MI SE of SR 0073 · Structure no. 000000000027952

Built
1890
135 years old, rebuilt 1991
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
124 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
838
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Church Road over Swamp Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Church Road over Swamp Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1890 and reconstructed in 1991, so it is 135 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.

It carries about 838 vehicles a day, projected to reach 367 by 2018. The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesChurch Road
CrossesSwamp Creek
Location0.88 MI SE of SR 0073
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.30512, -75.56538
Functional classRural 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length124 ft (37.8 m)
Longest span23 ft (7 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic838 (2019)
Projected traffic367 by 2018
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Church Road over Swamp Creek built?

It was built in 1890, making it 135 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1991.

What condition is Church 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Church Road over Swamp Creek carry?

About 838 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Church Road over Swamp Creek?

The structure is 124 ft (37.8 m) long with a longest span of 23 ft (7 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Church Road over Swamp Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.