US Bridges

Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek

Fair

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · 1 MI West of SR 2047 · Structure no. 000000000024449

Built
1993
32 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2022
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
37 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
700
2012 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1993, so it is 32 years old, younger 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 700 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 900 by 2032. The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlytheburn Road
CrossesWapwallopen Creek
Location1 MI West of SR 2047
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLuzerne County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates41.11958, -75.95466
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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating36 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckOther
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length37 ft (11.3 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic700 (2012)
Projected traffic900 by 2032
Trucks5%
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

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$348,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek built?

It was built in 1993, making it 32 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blytheburn Road over 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 October 2022.

How much traffic does Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek carry?

About 700 vehicles per day (2012 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek?

The structure is 37 ft (11.3 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns Blytheburn Road over Wapwallopen Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.