US Bridges

Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek

PoorPosted for load

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · West of New Tripoli · Structure no. 000000000023465

Built
1885
140 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2024
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
140 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
50
1980 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1885, so it is 140 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 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 127 by 2030. The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesGun Club Road
CrossesOntelaunee Creek
LocationWest of New Tripoli
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.68152, -75.76981
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.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable 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 spans5
Design loadHS 15
Structure length140 ft (42.7 m)
Longest span17 ft (5.2 m)
Deck width23 ft (7 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (1980)
Projected traffic127 by 2030
Trucks—
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$137,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek built?

It was built in 1885, making it 140 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gun Club 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 Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (1980 count).

How long is Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek?

The structure is 140 ft (42.7 m) long with a longest span of 17 ft (5.2 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Gun Club Road over Ontelaunee Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.