4th Street Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The one-span, 140'-long, reinforced concrete deck arch bridge built in 1930 with stone parapets is supported on concrete abutments. The spandrels are finished with an ashlar veneer with voussoirs to give the appearance of a stone arch bridge. The county-built bridge is an undistinguished example of its type and design with no distinctive or uncommon details. Reinforced concrete arch bridges have been in use in the local context since at least the first decade of the 20th century. Decorative stone veneers are not unusual, and can be found on earlier arch bridges in the county. The ashlar pattern is characteristic of bridges built in the early 1930s by Delaware County Engineer George Wright. Other bridges of more handsome proportions and technological distinction represent the detailing in the local context (e.g. 23 3029 0030 3266).

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane street and 2 sidewalks over a stream on the east side of Chester. The bridge is currently closed to traffic by a chain link fence and gate. It is used to provide access to a contractor's yard with late-20th-century service buildings at the east end of the bridge. The bridge is located north of the Penn Shipbuilding Company, but is divided from the shipyard by a wooded tract. The industrial setting is dominated by late-20th-century buildings, and it does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No