US Bridges

Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek

Fair

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · 1 Mile SE of SR 2042 · Structure no. 000000000024431

Built
1920
105 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,065
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1920 and reconstructed in 2019, so it is 105 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 6 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 1,065 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,425 by 2032. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlytheburn Road
CrossesLittle Wapwallopen Creek
Location1 Mile SE of SR 2042
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLuzerne County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates41.13438, -75.96405
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating103.9 US tons
Inventory rating63.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.9 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,065 (2012)
Projected traffic1,425 by 2032
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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$302,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek built?

It was built in 1920, making it 105 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek carry?

About 1,065 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Blytheburn Road over Little Wapwallopen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.