US Bridges

Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Mosserville · Structure no. 000000000023462

Built
1834
191 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
28 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
100
1980 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1834, so it is 191 years old, older than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 100 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 140 by 2000. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesSpringhouse Road
CrossesOntelaunee Creek
LocationMosserville
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.69442, -75.76357
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating36 US tons
Inventory rating24 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span14 ft (4.3 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (1980)
Projected traffic140 by 2000
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

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$13,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek built?

It was built in 1834, making it 191 years old in 2025.

What condition is Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (1980 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 14 ft (4.3 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Springhouse Road over Ontelaunee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.