US Bridges

70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl)

Poor

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania · S of Lindbergh Blv 36F07 · Structure no. 000000000039246

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2022
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
77 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
9,700
1977 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl) is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl) in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 9,700 vehicles a day, projected to reach 13,580 by 1997. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 76 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
Carries70th Street
CrossesSEPTA (ahsl)
LocationS of Lindbergh Blv 36F07
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPhiladelphia County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates39.9091, -75.2292
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating39 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span77 ft (23.5 m)
Deck width76 ft (23.3 m)
Roadway width64 ft (19.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deck25 ft (7.6 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,700 (1977)
Projected traffic13,580 by 1997
Trucks—
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
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 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl) built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl) in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2022.

How much traffic does 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl) carry?

About 9,700 vehicles per day (1977 count).

How long is 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl)?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 77 ft (23.5 m) and a deck 76 ft wide.

Who owns 70th Street over SEPTA (ahsl)?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.