State Spotlight

Pennsylvania Bridge Safety: Thousands of Bridges Examined

Pennsylvania has more structurally deficient bridges than almost any other state. Here is the data behind the headlines.

By BridgeStats Data Team

Pennsylvania is home to 23,314 bridges spanning 67 counties, making it one of the most significant bridge inventories in the country. These bridges carry a combined 166,704,547 vehicle crossings every day. Here is a comprehensive look at the state of Pennsylvania's bridge infrastructure based on the latest National Bridge Inventory data.

23,314

Total Bridges

D

Infrastructure Grade

12.1%

Poor Condition

56 years

Average Age

Pennsylvania at a Glance

Pennsylvania earns an overall infrastructure grade of D based on the percentage of its bridges in poor condition. Currently, 2,813 bridges (12.1%) are rated poor, compared to the national average of 6.7%. The average bridge in Pennsylvania is 56 years old, older than the national average of 48 years.

Of the state's 23,314 bridges, 8,019 are in good condition, 12,482 are fair, and 2,813 are poor. View the full breakdown on the [Pennsylvania report card](/reports/pennsylvania).

Most-Traveled Bridges in Pennsylvania

These are the bridges carrying the highest daily traffic volumes across Pennsylvania. High-traffic bridges are critical infrastructure -- their condition directly affects the commutes of tens of thousands of drivers.

# BridgeRating
1INTERSTATE 95

over MAGEE AVENUE

76.6
2INTERSTATE 95

over UNRUH AVENUE

76.6
3I-95; RAMP F & B

over NEW STATE ROAD

75.8
4INTERSTATE 95

over FRALEY STREET

57.4
5INTERSTATE 95

over TACONY ST.AND BRIDGE ST.

56.6
6INTERSTATE 95

over LONGSHORE AVENUE

75.8
7INTERSTATE 95

over LEVICK STREET

68.0
8INTERSTATE 95

over MARGARET STR.AND CONRAIL

64.9
9INTERSTATE 95

over ORTHODOX-PEARCE STREET

62.9
10INTERSTATE 95

over COMLY STREET

88.8

Worst-Condition Bridges in Pennsylvania

The following bridges have the lowest sufficiency ratings in Pennsylvania. These structures are the most likely candidates for federal repair or replacement funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

# BridgeRating
1LEONARD ST EXT

over RJ CORMAN RR

6.0
2CALCIUM ROAD

over NORFOLK SOUTHERN (0342)

8.0
3T343 Jordan Cem Rd

over Abandoned Railroad

9.3
4EAST BRIDGE STREET

over AMTRAK RAILROAD

9.3
5WEST BRIDGE STREET

over AMTRAK

9.3
6NORTH STREET

over FLAUGHERTY CREEK

9.3
7DEIBLER GAP T-474

over MAHANTANGO CREEK

9.3
8TOWNSHIP ROAD 567

over TENMILE CREEK

9.6
9FOLCROFT AVENUE

over AMTRAK (MAIN LINE)

10.1
10Margie Street

over AMTRAK CONRAIL

10.1

Oldest Bridges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's oldest bridges tell the story of the state's transportation history. Some of these structures have been in continuous service for over a century.

# BridgeRating
1OLD BETHLEHEM ROAD

over COOKS CREEK

59.3
2TRINITY LANE

over GULPH MILLS CREEK

58.5
3GERMANTOWN PIKE

over SKIPPACK CREEK

58.4
4CENTRE AVENUE

over NEWTOWN CREEK

55.5
5RIDGE PIKE

over PERKIOMEN CREEK

62.4
6Fishers Lane

over Tacony Creek

39.5
7OLD SCHUYLKILL RD

over PIGEON CREEK

36.1
8OLD EASTON ROAD

over NOCKAMIXON CREEK

57.2
9STRASBURG ROAD

over EAST BR.BRANDYWINE CREEK

59.7
10ST.DAVIDS ROAD

over DARBY CREEK / 3476-F8

57.6

What These Numbers Mean for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's bridge infrastructure grade of D reflects both the current condition of the state's bridges and the scale of the challenge ahead. With an average bridge age of 56 years, many of these structures are approaching or past the 50-75 year design life typical of most bridges. The state's ability to maintain and replace aging bridges will determine whether conditions improve or deteriorate in the coming decade.

For county-by-county breakdowns, historical trends, and individual bridge profiles, visit the [Pennsylvania state page](/bridges/pennsylvania) or the [Pennsylvania report card](/reports/pennsylvania). You can also explore how Pennsylvania compares to other states in our [state rankings](/blog/best-bridge-infrastructure-by-state-2025).

Data source: All data comes from the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). BridgeStats is not affiliated with the U.S. government. Data is provided for informational purposes only.