US Bridges

Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line

Fair

Hunterdon County, New Jersey · 3.7MI E of NJ12&NJ31 JCT · Structure no. 1050167

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
168
2023 count
Owner
Unknown
Unknown

About this bridge

Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line is a steel truss - thru carrying Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 1997, so it is 125 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 168 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 205 by 2043. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesHiggensville Road
CrossesLehigh Valley Line
Location3.7MI E of NJ12&NJ31 JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyHunterdon County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.5116, -74.78289
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating70 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic168 (2023)
Projected traffic205 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerUnknown
Maintained byState 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$2.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line carry?

About 168 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Higgensville Road over Lehigh Valley Line?

It is owned by the Unknown and maintained by the State Highway Agency.