US Bridges

Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek

Fair

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania · W of Stenton Ave 06G13 · Structure no. 000000000039250

Built
1888
137 years old, rebuilt 1988
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
112 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,400
1974 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1888 and reconstructed in 1988, 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.

It carries about 3,400 vehicles a day, projected to reach 4,760 by 1994. The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesNorthwestern Ave
CrossesWissahickon Creek
LocationW of Stenton Ave 06G13
RouteCity Street 0
CountyPhiladelphia County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.0888, -75.2277
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating75 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length112 ft (34.1 m)
Longest span110 ft (33.5 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,400 (1974)
Projected traffic4,760 by 1994
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek built?

It was built in 1888, making it 137 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1988.

What condition is Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek carry?

About 3,400 vehicles per day (1974 count).

How long is Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek?

The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long with a longest span of 110 ft (33.5 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Northwestern Ave over Wissahickon Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency and maintained by the County Highway Agency.