US Bridges

Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook

Fair

Mercer County, New Jersey · 0.5 MI SE of Cty RTE 535 · Structure no. 1176213

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
25 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,079
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook is a concrete culvert carrying Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook in Mercer County, New Jersey. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 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 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 1,079 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,290 by 2043. The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long and 68 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesDorchester Drive
CrossesBig Bear Brook
Location0.5 MI SE of Cty RTE 535
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMercer County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.27407, -74.57073
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert5 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 evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating61.9 US tons
Inventory rating37 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length25 ft (7.6 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width68 ft (20.7 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,079 (2023)
Projected traffic1,290 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Dorchester Drive over Big Bear 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook carry?

About 1,079 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook?

The structure is 25 ft (7.6 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 68 ft wide.

Who owns Dorchester Drive over Big Bear Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.