US Bridges

Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond

Fair

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Whitehall Township · Structure no. 000000000023431

Built
1920
105 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
23 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,000
1980 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond is a concrete tee beam carrying Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1920, so it is 105 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 3,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,200 by 2000. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Mickley Road
CrossesHelfrich Spring Pond
LocationWhitehall Township
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.62722, -75.49071
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating88 US tons
Inventory rating53 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,000 (1980)
Projected traffic4,200 by 2000
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$59,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond 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 2024.

How much traffic does Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond carry?

About 3,000 vehicles per day (1980 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Old Mickley Road over Helfrich Spring Pond?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.