Valley Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 3 span, 67'-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. It is the longest, multiple span example in the county. More examples of steel stringer with concrete jack arch deck bridges 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 an area of active mushroom farms on the outskirts of West Grove. The mushroom buildings at three of the bridge's four quadrants date from the late-20th-century. The setting does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes