US Bridges

Franklin Avenue over Second River

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · 0.01 MI East of Mill ST · Structure no. 0700017

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
29 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
19,128
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Franklin Avenue over Second River is a concrete slab carrying Franklin Avenue over Second River in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 years old, older than the New Jersey average of 58.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 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 19,128 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 22,954 by 2043. The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFranklin Avenue
CrossesSecond River
Location0.01 MI East of Mill ST
RouteCounty Highway 645
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.78889, -74.17257
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating69 US tons
Inventory rating41 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length29 ft (8.8 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.7 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19,128 (2023)
Projected traffic22,954 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure3
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Franklin Avenue over Second River built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Franklin Avenue over Second River 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Franklin Avenue over Second River carry?

About 19,128 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Franklin Avenue over Second River?

The structure is 29 ft (8.8 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns Franklin Avenue over Second River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.