US Bridges

Pa 443 over Swatara Creek

Fair

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania · East Side of Pine Grove · Structure no. 000000000030684

Built
1968
57 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
130 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
6,823
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pa 443 over Swatara Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Pa 443 over Swatara Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1968, so it is 57 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 5 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 6,823 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,946 by 2032. The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPa 443
CrossesSwatara Creek
LocationEast Side of Pine Grove
RouteState Highway 443
CountySchuylkill County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.55454, -76.38174
Functional classRural 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length130 ft (39.6 m)
Longest span44 ft (13.4 m)
Deck width52 ft (16 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic6,823 (2024)
Projected traffic6,946 by 2032
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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 Pa 443 over Swatara Creek built?

It was built in 1968, making it 57 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pa 443 over Swatara 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Pa 443 over Swatara Creek carry?

About 6,823 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Pa 443 over Swatara Creek?

The structure is 130 ft (39.6 m) long with a longest span of 44 ft (13.4 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Pa 443 over Swatara Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.