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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHOCONUT CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1900 | 100 |
| COAL RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1901 | 100 |
| JOHNSONS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1988 | 100 |
| WILSON CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 100 |
| Ravers Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1997 | 100 |
| TRIB. TO STONEY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 100 |
| NORTH RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 100 |
| OVER CHERRYTREE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 100 |
| MIDDLE BR. SUGAR CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1880 | 100 |
| OVER PINE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 100 |
| OVER IRVINE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1965 | 100 |
| OVER CALDWELL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 100 |
| OVER KIANTONE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 100 |
| OVER KIANTONE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1979 | 100 |
| OVER WIDDELFIELD RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 100 |
| WOLFHOUSE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 99 |
| OVER WOLFHOUSE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 99 |
| Mountain Creek | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 99 |
| MILLER BROOK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 98 |
| MUDDY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 98 |
| Mill Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1922 | 98 |
| SCIOTO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1915 | 97 |
| S BR EQUINUNK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 96 |
| BLACKLEGS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1952 | 94 |
| OVER LICK RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 94 |
| OVER CALDWELL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1952 | 94 |
| TRIB TO LITTLE SWATARA | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 93 |
| LUDINGTON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1910 | 92 |
| STRAIGHT RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1921 | 91 |
| HOKENDAUQUA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1913 | 90 |
| Big Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 89 |
| MILK & WATER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 87 |
| MAHONING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 87 |
| POORBAUGH RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1937 | 87 |
| OVER PITHOLE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1905 | 87 |
| MILES RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 85 |
| SHERMAN VALLEY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 82 |
| SHERMAN VALLEY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 82 |
| Snake Run to Beaver Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 82 |
| PINEY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1971 | 81 |
| TRIB.TO SUSQUEHANNA RIVE | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 81 |
| SIDE CHAN FRANK BR JUN R | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1983 | 80 |
| LUTHERSBURGBRSANDYLICKCR | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1915 | 80 |
| WHITES CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 80 |
| Indian Run | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1988 | 78 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1923 | 78 |
| OVER OIL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1884 | 77 |
| Blue Hole Creek | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 75 |
| LITTLE ELK FORK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 75 |
| TENMILE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1954 | 75 |
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.