US Bridges

Fern Road over Ireland Brook

Fair

Middlesex County, New Jersey · 2.3 Mi. E. of Nj Turnpike · Structure no. 123B135

Built
1987
38 years old, rebuilt 1998
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
27 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,862
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fern Road over Ireland Brook is a concrete culvert carrying Fern Road over Ireland Brook in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1987 and reconstructed in 1998, so it is 38 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 3,862 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,712 by 2043. The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long and 54 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFern Road
CrossesIreland Brook
Location2.3 Mi. E. of Nj Turnpike
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMiddlesex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.4087, -74.43095
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Culvert6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length27 ft (8.2 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width54 ft (16.6 m)
Roadway width41 ft (12.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,862 (2023)
Projected traffic4,712 by 2043
Trucks3%
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 Fern Road over Ireland Brook built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1998.

What condition is Fern Road over Ireland 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Fern Road over Ireland Brook carry?

About 3,862 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Fern Road over Ireland Brook?

The structure is 27 ft (8.2 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 54 ft wide.

Who owns Fern Road over Ireland Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.