US Bridges

Ferry Road over Plum Brook

FairPosted for load

Hunterdon County, New Jersey · 1.75 Miles N. of CR 523 · Structure no. 100D383

Built
1901
124 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
50 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
456
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ferry Road over Plum Brook is a steel truss - thru carrying Ferry Road over Plum Brook in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It was built in 1901 and reconstructed in 2003, so it is 124 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 456 vehicles a day, projected to reach 548 by 2043. The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesFerry Road
CrossesPlum Brook
Location1.75 Miles N. of CR 523
CountyHunterdon County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.47805, -74.94175
Functional classRural 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating18 US tons
Inventory rating10 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckCorrugated steel
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length50 ft (15.2 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic456 (2023)
Projected traffic548 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.3 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ferry Road over Plum Brook built?

It was built in 1901, making it 124 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is Ferry Road over Plum 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Ferry Road over Plum Brook carry?

About 456 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Ferry Road over Plum Brook?

The structure is 50 ft (15.2 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Ferry Road over Plum Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.