US Bridges

Water Street over Coplay Creek

Fair

Lehigh County, Pennsylvania · Bet. Lehigh & Eberhart RD · Structure no. 000000000040952

Built
1941
84 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2022
Type
Frame
Concrete
Length
25 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
390
2010 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Water Street over Coplay Creek is a concrete frame carrying Water Street over Coplay Creek in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1941, so it is 84 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.

It carries about 390 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 600 by 2030. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesWater Street
CrossesCoplay Creek
LocationBet. Lehigh & Eberhart RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLehigh County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.6557, -75.4826
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, 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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourCountermeasures installed to correct a previously existing problem
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.1 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeFrame
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span11 ft (3.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic390 (2010)
Projected traffic600 by 2030
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Water Street over Coplay Creek built?

It was built in 1941, making it 84 years old in 2025.

What condition is Water Street over Coplay 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does Water Street over Coplay Creek carry?

About 390 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Water Street over Coplay Creek?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 11 ft (3.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Water Street over Coplay Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.