US Bridges

Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek

Fair

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania · E of Meadow Wood Lane · Structure no. 000000000057170

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
10,160
2016 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek is a concrete slab carrying Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 10,160 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 11,000 by 2036. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCowpath Road
CrossesSkippack Creek
LocationE of Meadow Wood Lane
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMontgomery County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.29436, -75.32653
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionDecember 2023
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating83 US tons
Inventory rating50 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,160 (2016)
Projected traffic11,000 by 2036
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cowpath Road over Skippack 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 2023.

How much traffic does Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek carry?

About 10,160 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns Cowpath Road over Skippack Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.