US Bridges

Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch)

Fair

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · Sellersville Boro. 20E02 · Structure no. 000000000007383

Built
1927
98 years old, rebuilt 2020
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2022
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
157 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,922
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch) is a steel truss - thru carrying Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1927 and reconstructed in 2020, so it is 98 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 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 8,922 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,966 by 2032. The structure is 157 ft (47.9 m) long and 49 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMain Street
CrossesSEPTA (bethlehem Branch)
LocationSellersville Boro. 20E02
RouteState Highway 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.36233, -75.31198
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating91.1 US tons
Inventory rating54 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length157 ft (47.9 m)
Longest span135 ft (41.1 m)
Deck width49 ft (14.9 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,922 (2024)
Projected traffic9,966 by 2032
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch) built?

It was built in 1927, making it 98 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2020.

What condition is Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch) carry?

About 8,922 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch)?

The structure is 157 ft (47.9 m) long with a longest span of 135 ft (41.1 m) and a deck 49 ft wide.

Who owns Main Street over SEPTA (bethlehem Branch)?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.