Baltimore Street Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The single span, 34'-long, reinforced concrete thru girder bridge built in 1909 is supported on concrete abutments with wingwalls. The paneled girders also serve as the parapets. The bridge has transverse floorbeams, a longitudinal beam at the center line, and a concrete deck. Like other reinforced concrete bridge types, such as T beams and slabs, thru girder bridges appeared during the first decade of the 20th century. They were one of the least successful of the standardized types mainly because they proved less economical than T beam bridges for the same span lengths and were limited to relatively narrow roadway widths. In Pennsylvania, the type was never widely popular, and it was used mainly in a small number of counties. This example is one of the oldest and most complete examples in southeastern Pennsylvania (PADOT Districts 6 & 8) , and one of the two oldest identified examples from 1909-1910 in York County. It is historically and technologically significant as an early application of the technology.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 1 lane road over a stream in a rural setting with scattered 19th to late 20th century residences, approximately 1/4 mile southwest of the rural village of Seitzland. Fields or woods are to each of the quadrants. The road is closed to traffic with an earth barrier. The setting does not have the cohesiveness or integrity of a historic district.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes