US Bridges

Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek

FairClosed to traffic

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · Newtown Boro. 36J01 · Structure no. 000000000007289

Built
1796
229 years old, rebuilt 1875
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
34 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
4,254
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1796 and reconstructed in 1875, so it is 229 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 4,254 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,824 by 2032. The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCentre Avenue
CrossesNewtown Creek
LocationNewtown Boro. 36J01
RouteState Highway 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.22793, -74.93821
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length34 ft (10.4 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic4,254 (2023)
Projected traffic9,824 by 2032
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$569,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek built?

It was built in 1796, making it 229 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1875.

What condition is Centre Avenue over Newtown 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 2023.

How much traffic does Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek carry?

About 4,254 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.4 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Centre Avenue over Newtown Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.