District 5 Projects - Northampton County

Route 512 over Monocacy Creek

Project Status

Step 2 of 4

Design

Next Step:  Construction

Project Overview

County: Northampton
Municipality: East Allen Township
State Route: 512
Local Name: Beth-Bath Pike
Project Type: Bridge replacement
MPMS Number: 85946
Proposed Construction Start: lorem ipsum
Proposed Construction End: lorem ipsum
Last Updated: November 2025

This project is to replace the Route 512 Bridge over Monocacy Creek located in East Allen Township, Northampton County. The project bridge is a two-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 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. 

Contact Information

Michael McGuire 
Project Manager
610-783-3825
c-mimcgui@pa.gov

Ronald J. Young, Jr., M.P.A.
Press Officer
610-871-4555
ronyoung@pa.gov   

Past Public Outreach (text)

Past Public Outreach

Public Comment Period

The public comment period, where the community was encouraged to respond with questions and concerns, was active from mid-May through Jun 30, 2024.

Plans Display

The public meeting materials are available online to view in the Resources section of this page, but the comment period closed on June 30, 2024

Accessibility

The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation or interpretation services, have special needs, or have concerns that require individual attention, please contact the Project Manager listed above.

Title VI

Pursuant to the 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 PennDOT, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891.