US Bridges

Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run

Fair

Mercer County, New Jersey · 0.4 MI SW of 583/546 JCT · Structure no. 1154219

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Slab
Prestressed Concrete
Length
42 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
61
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run is a prestressed concrete slab carrying Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run in Mercer County, New Jersey. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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 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 61 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 61 by 2043. The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long and 45 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBalsam Drive
CrossesFive Mile Run
Location0.4 MI SW of 583/546 JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMercer County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.27737, -74.723
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating72 US tons
Inventory rating43 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length42 ft (12.8 m)
Longest span39 ft (11.9 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.6 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic61 (2023)
Projected traffic61 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run carry?

About 61 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run?

The structure is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (11.9 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns Balsam Drive over Five Mile Run?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.