US Bridges

Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek

PoorPosted for load

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · 0.5 MI NW of SR 3011 · Structure no. 000000000024406

Built
1900
125 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Truss - Thru
Aluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek is a aluminum, wrought iron, or cast iron truss - thru carrying Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1900, so it is 125 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 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2032. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFaux Road
CrossesWapwallopen Creek
Location0.5 MI NW of SR 3011
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLuzerne County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates41.06939, -76.05402
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 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 geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating23 US tons
Inventory rating14 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialAluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span42 ft (12.8 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2012)
Projected traffic25 by 2032
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$285,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025.

What condition is Faux Road over Wapwallopen 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2012 count).

How long is Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 42 ft (12.8 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Faux Road over Wapwallopen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.