Route 512 over Monocacy Creek

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announces a Plans Display for a project to replace the Route 512 Bridge over Monocacy Creek located in East Allen Township, Northampton County. 

This online plans display includes digital picture boards and an online comment form and is available to the public until June 30, 2024. 

The project bridge is a two (2) lane structure which carries Route 512/Beth-Bath Pike over Monocacy Creek. 

The structure is located approximately 300 feet north of the intersection with Locust Road and approximately ¾ mile south of the Jacksonville Road intersection. 

Built in 1923, the Bridge has two (2) spans and an overall length of 47 feet. The superstructure consists of a continuous reinforced concrete slab. The curb-to-curb width is 24’.  Route 512 is classified as a rural community arterial. Route 512 has an average daily traffic volume of 12,064 vehicles with 7% truck traffic. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. 

Deterioration and scour over the years have resulted in the substructure and channel being listed in poor condition in accordance with the most recent bridge inspection. And based on the deck geometry, the structure is considered functionally obsolete. 

As part of the preliminary design phase, an alignment study was completed to assess the potential impacts and costs associated with shifting the alignment of Route 512 through the corridor. 

Three horizontal alignments were investigated including two western shifts (one-stage and two-stage) and one eastern shift. Rebuilding on existing alignment was also considered. 

Ultimately, a one-stage western shift was selected due to the shortened construction time, less anticipated disruption to current traffic patterns and less impact to the potentially hazardous waste site at the Elk Holdings property. 

The scope of the project will involve replacing the existing structure and realigning/widening the Route 512 pavement in the approaches to facilitate the new structure placement. 

The current as-designed alignment includes no changes to the vertical or horizontal alignments of the nearby existing railroad. 

The replacement is anticipated to be performed with staged construction with traffic maintained adjacent to the work zone. It is expected to require two construction seasons. 

The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the project. The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, please contact PennDOT Project Manager Michael McGuire, at c-micmcgui@pa.gov or 610.783.3825. 

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of, or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891 or 800-468-4201. 

For more information on projects occurring or being bid this year, those made possible by or accelerated by the state transportation funding plan (Act 89), or those on the department’s Four and Twelve Year Plans, visit www.projects.penndot.gov.