US Bridges

N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR

PoorClosed to traffic

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania · 100 NE of E. Chestnut ST · Structure no. 000000000046161

Built
1929
96 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected October 2022
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,000
2014 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1929, so it is 96 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 0 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: closed to all traffic.

It carries about 1,000 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,100 by 2032. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesN. Washington St.
CrossesLuzerne & Susquehanna RR
Location100 NE of E. Chestnut ST
RouteCity Street 0
CountyLuzerne County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates41.25927, -75.85939
Functional classUrban 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
Deck0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Superstructure0 FailedOut of service and beyond corrective action.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusClosed to all traffic
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation0: Immediate repair necessary to put back in service
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating0 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,000 (2014)
Projected traffic1,100 by 2032
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025.

What condition is N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR 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 October 2022.

How much traffic does N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR carry?

About 1,000 vehicles per day (2014 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns N. Washington St. over Luzerne & Susquehanna RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.