Route 419 Bridge over Tulpehocken Creek

County: Berks
Municipality: Borough of Womelsdorf 
State Route: 419
Local Name: North 3rd Street 
Project Type: Bridge replacement
MPMS Number: 91908
Proposed Construction Start: Fall 2025
Proposed Construction End: Fall 2026
Last Updated: July 2025

This project will replace the existing four span 200-foot long reinforced concrete T-beam bridge over Tulpehocken Creek. The existing bridge was constructed in 1926 and is functionally and structurally deficient and has visible deterioration which exists throughout the entire structure. 

Four perennial waterways were identified within the project limits: Tulpehocken Creek and three unnamed tributaries (UNTs) to Tulpehocken Creek. Tulpehocken Creek is designated as a Wild & Scenic River by the State of Pennsylvania, so coordination with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will be required to identify any concerns as the design progresses. An Aids to Navigation (ATON) Plan has been prepared and will be included in the project documents. The other three streams will have minor impacts from bridge construction and roadway approaches. Four wetlands were also identified within the project study area, with three wetlands likely to be impacted by the project. Due to the minor nature of the impacts, no stream or wetland mitigation measures are anticipated, but this will be discussed and coordinated with PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in more detail as the design progresses.

Cultural resource studies of the project area identified three eligible historic resources. The northeast quadrant of the project area contains the prism associated with the 19th-century National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-eligible Union Canal. The 19th-century NRHP-eligible Braun Mill is located southwest of the project area. Both resources, in addition to the PA 419 bridge, contribute to the NRHP-listed Tulpehocken Creek Historic District. On behalf of Federal Highway Administration, PennDOT considered effects of the project on the characteristics that makes these three resources historically significant. Through coordination with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Section 106 Consulting Parties, PennDOT determined the proposed project will have No Effect to the Union Canal and No Adverse Effect to the Braun Mill. Replacement of the contributing bridge will have an Adverse Effect to the Tulpehocken Creek Historic District but work in the adjacent properties will have No Adverse Effect to the historic district. A Letter of Agreement was developed to help minimize and mitigate for effects to the historic resources.