US Bridges

M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek

Good

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · West of St. Elmo St. · Structure no. 000000000023497

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Good
inspected April 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
105 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
2,100
1972 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 years old, younger than the Pennsylvania average of 54.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 2,100 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,940 by 2002. The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long and 51 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesM.L.King Jr. Drive
CrossesCedar Creek
LocationWest of St. Elmo St.
RouteCity Street 0MLK.
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.58722, -75.49596
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating77.1 US tons
Inventory rating33 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length105 ft (32 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width51 ft (15.4 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,100 (1972)
Projected traffic2,940 by 2002
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal 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$329,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek carry?

About 2,100 vehicles per day (1972 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek?

The structure is 105 ft (32 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 51 ft wide.

Who owns M.L.King Jr. Drive over Cedar Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.