US Bridges

Valley Road over Monocacy Creek

FairPosted for load

Berks County, Pennsylvania · Monocacy Bridge · Structure no. 000000000005319

Built
1912
113 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
64 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
276
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Valley Road over Monocacy Creek is a concrete arch - deck carrying Valley Road over Monocacy Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1912, so it is 113 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

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

It carries about 276 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 408 by 2038. The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesValley Road
CrossesMonocacy Creek
LocationMonocacy Bridge
RouteCity Street 0
CountyBerks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.28547, -75.78394
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating21.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length64 ft (19.5 m)
Longest span62 ft (18.9 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic276 (2022)
Projected traffic408 by 2038
Trucks6%
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$858,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Valley Road over Monocacy Creek built?

It was built in 1912, making it 113 years old in 2025.

What condition is Valley Road over Monocacy 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Valley Road over Monocacy Creek carry?

About 276 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Valley Road over Monocacy Creek?

The structure is 64 ft (19.5 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (18.9 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Valley Road over Monocacy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.