US Bridges

Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway

Fair

Essex County, New Jersey · 0.1 Miles South of I-280 · Structure no. 361471T

Built
1964
61 years old, rebuilt 1985
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
180 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
7,898
2023 count
Owner
Toll Authority
State Toll Authority

About this bridge

Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway in Essex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1964 and reconstructed in 1985, so it is 61 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 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 7,898 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 9,637 by 2043. The structure is 180 ft (54.9 m) long and 64 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesFreeway Drive East
CrossesGarden State Parkway
Location0.1 Miles South of I-280
RouteCity Street 0
CountyEssex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.75824, -74.20919
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating67.5 US tons
Inventory rating52.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length180 ft (54.9 m)
Longest span91 ft (27.7 m)
Deck width64 ft (19.5 m)
Roadway width46 ft (14 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,898 (2023)
Projected traffic9,637 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
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 Toll Authority
Maintained byState Toll Authority
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$326,000
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1985.

What condition is Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway carry?

About 7,898 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway?

The structure is 180 ft (54.9 m) long with a longest span of 91 ft (27.7 m) and a deck 64 ft wide.

Who owns Freeway Drive East over Garden State Parkway?

It is owned by the State Toll Authority.