US Bridges

Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek

Poor

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Wanamakers Lynn Twp. · Structure no. 000000000023463

Built
1910
115 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected November 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
112 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
200
1980 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1910, so it is 115 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.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 280 by 2000. The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long and 20 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesAllemaengel Rd.
CrossesOntelaunee Creek
LocationWanamakers Lynn Twp.
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.6633, -75.83578
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, 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 protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length112 ft (34.1 m)
Longest span51 ft (15.5 m)
Deck width20 ft (6.2 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (1980)
Projected traffic280 by 2000
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$48,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek built?

It was built in 1910, making it 115 years old in 2025.

What condition is Allemaengel Rd. 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 November 2023.

How much traffic does Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (1980 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek?

The structure is 112 ft (34.1 m) long with a longest span of 51 ft (15.5 m) and a deck 20 ft wide.

Who owns Allemaengel Rd. over Ontelaunee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.