Valley Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The one span, 30'-long steel stringer bridge built in 1914 has a concrete jack arch deck, pipe railings, and stone abutments and wingwalls with parapets. It is among the 21 earliest examples of the steel stringer bridge type and concrete jack arch design identified in the state, and one of the four earliest identified, prototypical examples from 1913-14 in Chester County, where it was popular with County Engineer Nathan R. Rambo during the mid 1910s. More examples of the bridge type and design have been identified in Chester County than any other county in the state. It has typical construction details of the early 20th century and reflects national thinking about bridge technology and design applied in the local context. By using a form liner of wood or corrugated sheet metal placed in an arch shape between the stringers, a concrete deck was poured so as to integrate the stringers with the deck. The jack arches create a strong deck and a stiff member with a minimum of reinforcing bars.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in a rural setting of active farms and scattered 19th to late-20th-century residences. At the bridge's northeast quadrant is a vernacular 2- story frame residence with replacement windows. Fields and woods are at each of the bridge's other quadrants. The bridge is approximately 1/4-mile east of the Stottsville Inn (1858). North of the inn are a tree farm and a late-20th-century mixing plant. The setting does not have the integrity or cohesiveness of a potential historic district.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes