US Bridges

Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek

Fair

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · E of Pa 29 N.Of Emmaus · Structure no. 000000000023445

Built
1954
71 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
78 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
500
1980 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1954, so it is 71 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 500 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 700 by 2000. The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiverbend Road
CrossesLittle Lehigh Creek
LocationE of Pa 29 N.Of Emmaus
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.54835, -75.51181
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating55 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length78 ft (23.8 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.3 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic500 (1980)
Projected traffic700 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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$44,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025.

What condition is Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek carry?

About 500 vehicles per day (1980 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek?

The structure is 78 ft (23.8 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.3 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Riverbend Road over Little Lehigh Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.