US Bridges

Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek

Fair

New Castle County, Delaware · Ne. of Wilmington · Structure no. 1579 502

Built
1993
32 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2021
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
69 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
7,958
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek in New Castle County, Delaware. It was built in 1993, so it is 32 years old, younger 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 7,958 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,985 by 2042. The structure is 69 ft (21.1 m) long and 41 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLea Blvd
CrossesShellpot Creek
LocationNe. of Wilmington
RouteCounty Highway 502
CountyNew Castle County
StateDelaware
Coordinates39.75371, -75.51583
Functional classUrban Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.1 US tons
Inventory rating48.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length69 ft (21.1 m)
Longest span65 ft (19.8 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.4 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,958 (2019)
Projected traffic9,985 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed—
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek built?

It was built in 1993, making it 32 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek 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 March 2021.

How much traffic does Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek carry?

About 7,958 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek?

The structure is 69 ft (21.1 m) long with a longest span of 65 ft (19.8 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Lea Blvd over Shellpot Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.