US Bridges

River Road over Hemlock Creek

Fair

Northampton County, Pennsylvania · 2.3 MI N of Riverton · Structure no. 000000000028884

Built
1946
79 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
450
2010 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over Hemlock Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying River Road over Hemlock Creek in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1946, so it is 79 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.

It carries about 450 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 475 by 2020. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesHemlock Creek
Location2.3 MI N of Riverton
RouteCity Street 0
CountyNorthampton County
StatePennsylvania
Coordinates40.85307, -75.09298
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 statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.4 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2010)
Projected traffic475 by 2020
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township 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$78,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over Hemlock Creek built?

It was built in 1946, making it 79 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over Hemlock 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 River Road over Hemlock Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2010 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is River Road over Hemlock Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over Hemlock Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.