US Bridges

Essex Avenue over I-280

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · 1.5 MI W of I-280-GSP JCT · Structure no. 0730175

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
127 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,995
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Essex Avenue over I-280 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Essex Avenue over I-280 in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 5 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 3,995 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,753 by 2043. The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesEssex Avenue
CrossesI-280
Location1.5 MI W of I-280-GSP JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.77028, -74.23253
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
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 rating54 US tons
Inventory rating32 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 20
Structure length127 ft (38.7 m)
Longest span64 ft (19.5 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,995 (2023)
Projected traffic8,753 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost$1.4 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Essex Avenue over I-280 built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Essex Avenue over I-280 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 Essex Avenue over I-280 carry?

About 3,995 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Essex Avenue over I-280?

The structure is 127 ft (38.7 m) long with a longest span of 64 ft (19.5 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns Essex Avenue over I-280?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.