US Bridges

I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd.

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · 0.3 MI W of 280-21 JCT · Structure no. 0731154

Built
1952
73 years old, rebuilt 2017
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
65 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
91,370
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd. is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd. in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1952 and reconstructed in 2017, so it is 73 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 91,370 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 111,490 by 2044. The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesI-280
CrossesMartin Luther King Blvd.
Location0.3 MI W of 280-21 JCT
RouteInterstate 280
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.74821, -74.17366
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 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 rating106.8 US tons
Inventory rating106.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHL 93
Structure length65 ft (19.8 m)
Longest span62 ft (18.9 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.8 m)
Roadway width59 ft (18 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic91,370 (2024)
Projected traffic111,490 by 2044
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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$1.1 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd. built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2017.

What condition is I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd. 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd. carry?

About 91,370 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd.?

The structure is 65 ft (19.8 m) long with a longest span of 62 ft (18.9 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns I-280 over Martin Luther King Blvd.?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.