US Bridges

East Lake Road over Bear Creek

FairPosted for load

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · 1 MI North of SR 115 · Structure no. 000000000042320

Built
1960
65 years old, rebuilt 2022
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
45 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2016 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

East Lake Road over Bear Creek is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying East Lake Road over Bear Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1960 and reconstructed in 2022, so it is 65 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 30 by 2036. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 11 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesEast Lake Road
CrossesBear Creek
Location1 MI North of SR 115
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLuzerne County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates41.19093, -75.7539
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 inspectionOctober 2023
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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating22 US tons
Inventory rating13 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width11 ft (3.5 m)
Roadway width10 ft (3.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2016)
Projected traffic30 by 2036
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$146,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was East Lake Road over Bear Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2022.

What condition is East Lake Road over Bear 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 2023.

How much traffic does East Lake Road over Bear Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2016 count).

How long is East Lake Road over Bear Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 11 ft wide.

Who owns East Lake Road over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.