Scour Critical Bridges in Pennsylvania
2,233 bridges in Pennsylvania at risk from water erosion around foundations.
Scour Critical Bridges
Scour is the erosion of soil and rock around a bridge's foundation caused by moving water. When foundations are exposed or undermined, a bridge can collapse even if its deck and superstructure are in good condition. Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the US. These 2,233 bridges in Pennsylvania have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RALSTON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1933 | 212 |
| OVER MUD CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 211 |
| FISHING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1984 | 210 |
| LITTLE MESHOPPEN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 209 |
| OYSTERVILLE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 207 |
| BRANCH HUNLOCK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1949 | 206 |
| BRANCH KITCHEN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1985 | 206 |
| BEAR ROCK RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 205 |
| CONOWINGO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1974 | 205 |
| SPENCER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1946 | 204 |
| BUTTERMILK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 204 |
| BRANCH OF FOURMILE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1924 | 204 |
| BROADHEAD RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1902 | 204 |
| BROADHEAD RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 204 |
| Green Lick Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 200 |
| WILLOUGHBY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 200 |
| BRANCH OF BEAVER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1925 | 200 |
| PINEY FORK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 200 |
| PEQUEA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2007 | 200 |
| LITTLE NORTHKILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1954 | 200 |
| SHALTER AVENUE FLOODWAY | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 200 |
| PENNSYLVANIA CANAL | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1875 | 200 |
| POQUESSING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1853 | 200 |
| THREEMILE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 200 |
| RAPP CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1917 | 200 |
| HUBER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2005 | 200 |
| TRIB TO THORN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 200 |
| ANDERSON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1936 | 200 |
| HINCKSTON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 200 |
| NORTH RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 200 |
| REISINGER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 200 |
| PLUM RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 200 |
| LICK RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 200 |
| TRIB. TO PINE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 200 |
| CONEWAGO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1985 | 200 |
| MOHAN RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1974 | 200 |
| TUB RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 200 |
| COAL LICK RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1913 | 200 |
| Latta Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 200 |
| DIXON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1970 | 200 |
| LITTLE BUFFALO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1920 | 200 |
| BEAR CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1961 | 200 |
| MINGO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 200 |
| GREGS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 200 |
| IRISH HOLLOW CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1910 | 200 |
| TREASTER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1915 | 200 |
| OTTER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1975 | 200 |
| LITTLE MARTINS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 200 |
| LITTLE MARTINS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1917 | 200 |
| LITTLE MARTINS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 200 |
Scour Critical Rating Codes
| Code 2 — Unaddressed | Bridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken. |
| Code 3 — Countermeasures Installed | Protective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical. |
| Code 6 — Countermeasures Ineffective | Protective measures were installed but have been assessed as ineffective. The bridge requires re-evaluation and additional action. |
About Scour Critical Bridges
Scour critical bridges have been identified through underwater inspection or analysis as having foundations that are unstable or could become unstable during flood conditions. FHWA requires action plans for all scour critical bridges. Famous scour failures include the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse in New York.