Group Ranks Numerous Perkiomen Valley Bridges as 'Structurally Deficient'

Information released by Transportation for America has deemed numerous bridges in the Perkiomen Valley area are structurally deficient. As dire as that sounds, residents are urged to not panic.

According to the Transportation for America site, bridges have three components and judged on each on a scale of 1 to 10. If a bridge ranks 4 or lower on any component, it is deemed “structurally deficient.”

According to a Washington Post article, “The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) says that bridges are considered structurally deficient if significant load-carrying elements need repair. Rating a bridge deficient does not imply that it is likely to collapse or that it is unsafe, but that it might need closer monitoring or more frequent inspections."

Further, the article quotes Cathy St. Denis of the FHWA: “If a bridge is unsafe, it is closed. There’s a common misconception that a structurally deficient bridge is about to fall down. It’s not.”

According to , "Pennsylvania faired worst of all states, with six metropolitan areas possessing a high percentage of deficient bridges."

PennDOT has about replacing the bridge that crosses the Perkiomen Creek along Route 73/Skippack Pike. The deck is rated a 4, while the super- and substructures received “5” ratings.
According to the letter to the township, work would begin in spring 2012 and last for about four months. Traffic will be detoured.

Other structurally deficient bridges in the Perkiomen Valley area include the following:

• Spring Mount Road bridge (superstructure 3, substructure 3, last inspection June 2008)

• Camp Wawa Road bridge (deck 5, superstructure 3, substructure 2, last inspection July 2008)

• Graterford Road bridge (deck 4, superstructure 3, substructure 4, last inspection May 2009)

• Mill Road bridge (deck 3, superstructure 1, substructure 2, last inspection December 2009)

• Skippack Pike bridge – over Skippack Creek (deck 4, superstructure 4, substructure 4, last inspection March 2009)

See more bridge ratings here. Put in your township or borough, and see bridges within a 10-mile radius.