US Bridges

Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek

FairPosted for load

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Geigers Bridge · Structure no. 000000000023471

Built
1860
165 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2022
Type
Truss - Thru
Wood or Timber
Length
134 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2010 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek is a wood or timber truss - thru carrying Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1860, so it is 165 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 254 by 2030. The structure is 134 ft (40.8 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOld Packhouse Road
CrossesJordan Creek
LocationGeigers Bridge
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.64644, -75.62349
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.
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 inspectionDecember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating10 US tons
Inventory rating8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length134 ft (40.8 m)
Longest span112 ft (34.1 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deck10 ft (2.9 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2010)
Projected traffic254 by 2030
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$91,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek built?

It was built in 1860, making it 165 years old in 2025.

What condition is Old Packhouse Road over Jordan 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 December 2022.

How much traffic does Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek?

The structure is 134 ft (40.8 m) long with a longest span of 112 ft (34.1 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Old Packhouse Road over Jordan Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.