US Bridges

Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · N/W of Clayton · Structure no. 1476 483

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
20 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
951
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch is a concrete culvert carrying Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 years old, older than the Delaware average of 47.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 951 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 819 by 2042. The structure is 20 ft (6.2 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 2.5 mi (4 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesAlley Mill RD
CrossesPaw Paw Branch
LocationN/W of Clayton
RouteCounty Highway 483
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.30903, -75.66892
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length20 ft (6.2 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.2 m)
Deck width23 ft (7.1 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic951 (2022)
Projected traffic819 by 2042
Trucks17%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed2.5 mi (4 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$76,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch carry?

About 951 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch?

The structure is 20 ft (6.2 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.2 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Alley Mill RD over Paw Paw Branch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.