US Bridges

Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond

Fair

Sussex County, Delaware · East of Seaford · Structure no. 3241 534

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2021
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
5,483
2020 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - single or spread carrying Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond in Sussex County, Delaware. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 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 5,483 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,814 by 2042. The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTharp Rd.
CrossesWilliams Pond
LocationEast of Seaford
RouteCounty Highway 534
CountySussex County
StateDelaware
Coordinates38.65671, -75.58436
Functional classUrban 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length54 ft (16.4 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.4 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,483 (2020)
Projected traffic6,814 by 2042
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
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 Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond 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 July 2021.

How much traffic does Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond carry?

About 5,483 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond?

The structure is 54 ft (16.4 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns Tharp Rd. over Williams Pond?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.