US Bridges

Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek

Fair

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · S of SR 2012 W of T-Pike · Structure no. 000000000023450

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2018
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
400
2010 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2018, so it is 65 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 400 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2020. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMillrace Road
CrossesLittle Lehigh Creek
LocationS of SR 2012 W of T-Pike
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.54049, -75.52999
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating63.1 US tons
Inventory rating38 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckOpen grating
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic400 (2010)
Projected traffic450 by 2020
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$307,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2018.

What condition is Millrace 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 2024.

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

About 400 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Millrace Road over Little Lehigh Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.