A Closer Look at Elm Avenue

This week Northampton Patch will highlight the bridges in the worst shape and some of the most teeth-rattling spots on the roads. Check back each day for a new location, and feel free to add your own in the comments.

Elm Avenue: Even though the pothole-speckled pavement leading up to the bridge that crosses Ironworks Creek, the bridge itself is actually in decent shape. Don't let your eyes fool you; it has an 86.9 percent sufficiency rate and marks five or above for each of the three parts regularly evaluated. The roads, on the other hand, could use some TLC. In addition to a small to non-existant shoulder, the outer edges of the lanes are very bumpy in some parts. It's best to travel under the speed limit on these sections.