US Bridges

Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts

Fair

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Hill to Hill Bridge · Structure no. 000000000023182

Built
1924
101 years old, rebuilt 1990
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
1,607 ft
10 main spans
Daily traffic
35,929
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts is a concrete arch - deck carrying Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1924 and reconstructed in 1990, so it is 101 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.

It carries about 35,929 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 43,700 by 2032. The structure is 1,607 ft (489.8 m) long and 62 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesPa 378(LR 297)
CrossesLehigh Riv R.R. City Sts
LocationHill to Hill Bridge
RouteState Highway 378
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.6157, -75.38457
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Other Freeway or Expressway

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
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 inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans10 (+3 approach)
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length1,607 ft (489.8 m)
Longest span171 ft (52.1 m)
Deck width62 ft (18.9 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (4.8 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic35,929 (2023)
Projected traffic43,700 by 2032
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway, waterway and railroad
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$4.1 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts built?

It was built in 1924, making it 101 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1990.

What condition is Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts carry?

About 35,929 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts?

The structure is 1,607 ft (489.8 m) long with a longest span of 171 ft (52.1 m) and a deck 62 ft wide.

Who owns Pa 378(LR 297) over Lehigh Riv R.R. City Sts?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.