US Bridges

Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook

Fair

Middlesex County, New Jersey · 0.5 Mile North of Nj 28 · Structure no. 122B231

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
113 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
5,689
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 96 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 5,689 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 6,942 by 2043. The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long and 38 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesShepherd Avenue
CrossesGreen Brook
Location0.5 Mile North of Nj 28
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiddlesex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.57405, -74.5212
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating74 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length113 ft (34.4 m)
Longest span53 ft (16.2 m)
Deck width38 ft (11.5 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,689 (2023)
Projected traffic6,942 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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Shepherd Avenue over Green 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 Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook carry?

About 5,689 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook?

The structure is 113 ft (34.4 m) long with a longest span of 53 ft (16.2 m) and a deck 38 ft wide.

Who owns Shepherd Avenue over Green Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.