US Bridges

Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · In Branch Brook Park · Structure no. 0700101

Built
1905
120 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Concrete
Length
132 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
19,357
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook is a concrete arch - deck carrying Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1905, so it is 120 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 19,357 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 23,228 by 2043. The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long and 75 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesPark Avenue
CrossesPark RD & Branch Brook
LocationIn Branch Brook Park
RouteCounty Highway 658
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.7578, -74.18181
Functional classUrban Other Principal 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
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJuly 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating99 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length132 ft (40.2 m)
Longest span132 ft (40.2 m)
Deck width75 ft (22.9 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic19,357 (2023)
Projected traffic23,228 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway and waterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook built?

It was built in 1905, making it 120 years old in 2025.

What condition is Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook 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 2023.

How much traffic does Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook carry?

About 19,357 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook?

The structure is 132 ft (40.2 m) long with a longest span of 132 ft (40.2 m) and a deck 75 ft wide.

Who owns Park Avenue over Park RD & Branch Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.