US Bridges

Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek

Poor

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania · South of Valley View · Structure no. 000000000030827

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
27 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
934
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 years old, older 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 934 vehicles a day, roughly 35% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,241 by 2032. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

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CarriesSchwenks Road
CrossesRausch Creek
LocationSouth of Valley View
RouteState Highway 0
CountySchuylkill County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.62615, -76.55123
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67 US tons
Inventory rating40 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.4 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic934 (2024)
Projected traffic1,241 by 2032
Trucks35%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$59,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek carry?

About 934 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 35% are trucks.

How long is Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Schwenks Road over Rausch Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.