US Bridges

Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek

Fair

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · Pleasant Valley 02H13 · Structure no. 000000000007472

Built
1777
248 years old, rebuilt 1902
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
54 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,404
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1777 and reconstructed in 1902, so it is 248 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 1,404 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,180 by 2032. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Bethlehem Road
CrossesCooks Creek
LocationPleasant Valley 02H13
RouteState Highway 0
CountyBucks County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.51697, -75.29114
Functional classRural Major 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,404 (2024)
Projected traffic1,180 by 2032
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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$674,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek built?

It was built in 1777, making it 248 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1902.

What condition is Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks 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 2024.

How much traffic does Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek carry?

About 1,404 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Old Bethlehem Road over Cooks Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.