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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 5,265 |
| LITTLE LEHIGH CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2013 | 5,235 |
| SAW MILL RUN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1983 | 5,200 |
| TRIB TO FISHING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 5,174 |
| TRIB SCHUYLKILL RIV | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 5,108 |
| TRIB SCHUYLKILL RIV | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 5,108 |
| ELK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 5,101 |
| BULLIT RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 5,091 |
| ANDERSON CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 5,076 |
| LINESVILLE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 5,034 |
| OVER MORGAN RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 5,026 |
| EAST BRANCH BIG ELK CRK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1922 | 5,026 |
| SYCAMORE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 5,000 |
| DIRTY CAMP RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 5,000 |
| EAST BRANCH SAUCON CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 4,977 |
| W. BR. BRANDYWINE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 4,970 |
| TRIB OF MIDDLE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 4,947 |
| TRIB NO BR MAHANTANGO CR | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 4,922 |
| MINISTER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1933 | 4,902 |
| DOE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | 4,881 |
| PINEY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1923 | 4,865 |
| W.BR.COXES CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1963 | 4,824 |
| INDIAN RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1910 | 4,787 |
| TRIB TO CROOKED CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1923 | 4,777 |
| IRONSTONE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1907 | 4,748 |
| MAUCH CHUNK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 4,728 |
| CRAIGS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 4,708 |
| PENNYPACK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | 4,653 |
| RIDLEY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 4,643 |
| MAHONING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 4,633 |
| BECKETS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1915 | 4,603 |
| BIG COVE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 4,554 |
| BOGGS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1920 | 4,550 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 4,523 |
| MCMICHAELS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 4,514 |
| BR.LITTLE PLUM CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1900 | 4,508 |
| JENKINTOWN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1936 | 4,500 |
| OVER TRIB TO SUSQUEHANNA | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 4,462 |
| WEAVER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 4,460 |
| OVER WARRIOR RUN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1925 | 4,456 |
| W. BR. SCHUYLKILL RIVER | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 4,450 |
| TULPEHOCKEN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 4,439 |
| OVER FISHING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 4,430 |
| RAYSTOWN BR.JUNIATA RIV. | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 4,386 |
| SWIFTWATER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1956 | 4,360 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 4,342 |
| PINE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 4,342 |
| SEWICKLEY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 4,300 |
| ROARING BROOK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 4,290 |
| NEWTOWN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1796 | 4,254 |
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.