US Bridges

Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · 60 E of Meadowbrook LN · Structure no. 0700049

Built
1972
53 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
39 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,845
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1972, so it is 53 years old, younger 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 2,845 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,414 by 2044. The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long and 50 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesMead Street
CrossesEast Branch Rahway River
Location60 E of Meadowbrook LN
RouteCity Street 0
Coordinates40.7499, -74.2596
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.9 US tons
Inventory rating46 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length39 ft (11.9 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width50 ft (15.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,845 (2024)
Projected traffic3,414 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025.

What condition is Mead Street over East Branch Rahway 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River carry?

About 2,845 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River?

The structure is 39 ft (11.9 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 50 ft wide.

Who owns Mead Street over East Branch Rahway River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.