US Bridges

Valley RD over Route I-280

Poor

Essex County, New Jersey · 0.23 MI E of I280 Exit 10 · Structure no. 0730156

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
267 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
15,296
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Valley RD over Route I-280 is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Valley RD over Route I-280 in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 15,296 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 18,664 by 2044. The structure is 267 ft (81.4 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesValley RD
CrossesRoute I-280
Location0.23 MI E of I280 Exit 10
RouteCity Street 0
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.77342, -74.24051
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating27 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length267 ft (81.4 m)
Longest span103 ft (31.4 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15,296 (2024)
Projected traffic18,664 by 2044
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$5.7 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Valley RD over Route I-280 built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Valley RD over Route I-280 in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2024.

How much traffic does Valley RD over Route I-280 carry?

About 15,296 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Valley RD over Route I-280?

The structure is 267 ft (81.4 m) long with a longest span of 103 ft (31.4 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Valley RD over Route I-280?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.