SR 2030 (Lime Valley Road) over Pequea Creek

Larson Design Group (LDG) provided structural engineering services for the SR 2030 Lime Valley Road Bridge Preservation project in Strasburg and West Lampeter Townships, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1927, the three-span, cast-in-place reinforced concrete cantilever arch bridge extends approximately 131 feet over Pequea Creek and serves a rural community that includes agricultural traffic, local residents, and the Plain Sect population. As the last known bridge of its type in Pennsylvania, the structure is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and was preserved as mitigation for impacts associated with PennDOT’s SR 1010-018 Farmersville Road Bridge Replacement.

LDG prepared the full Type, Size & Location (TS&L) submission, performed structural analyses, and developed rehabilitation plans tailored to historic concrete structures. Deck improvements included milling the existing bituminous surface, replacing deteriorated drainage features, installing a waterproofing membrane, and placing a new overlay to improve ride quality and reduce future water intrusion—all within the existing roadway footprint.

Superstructure and substructure repairs addressed concrete spalling, cracking, delamination, and exposed reinforcement in the arch barrels, spandrel walls, piers, wingwalls, and railings. Epoxy crack injection was specified where fine cracking could affect durability. To stabilize deteriorating wingwalls without altering the bridge’s appearance, LDG designed buried moment slabs with integral concrete curbs tied into existing structural elements, requiring limited temporary construction easements.

Hydraulic, environmental, and historic preservation considerations were integral to the design. Riprap was placed at the piers for scour protection, and all work was detailed to avoid impacts to Pequea Creek, wetlands, and the floodplain. Construction occurred entirely above the waterway, eliminating in-stream work. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission issued a No Adverse Effect finding confirming preservation of the bridge’s historic character.

LDG supported PennDOT with utility coordination, contractor access planning, and a four-month detour that maintained access for local residents, agricultural operations, and the Plain Sect community. The resulting design extends the service life of one of Lancaster County’s rare cantilever arch bridges while preserving its historic significance and ensuring continued safe use for the traveling public.