US Bridges

Martin L King Ave over Whippany River

Poor

Morris County, New Jersey · 1MI NW of NJ124&I287 JCT · Structure no. 1400118

Built
1900
125 years old, rebuilt 1928
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
66 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
13,169
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Martin L King Ave over Whippany River is a masonry arch - deck carrying Martin L King Ave over Whippany River in Morris County, New Jersey. It was built in 1900 and reconstructed in 1928, 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 13,169 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 16,066 by 2043. The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long and 46 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMartin L King Ave
CrossesWhippany River
Location1MI NW of NJ124&I287 JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorris County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.80112, -74.47788
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating52 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length66 ft (20.1 m)
Longest span18 ft (5.5 m)
Deck width46 ft (14 m)
Roadway width31 ft (9.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13,169 (2023)
Projected traffic16,066 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Martin L King Ave over Whippany River built?

It was built in 1900, making it 125 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1928.

What condition is Martin L King Ave over Whippany River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Martin L King Ave over Whippany River carry?

About 13,169 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Martin L King Ave over Whippany River?

The structure is 66 ft (20.1 m) long with a longest span of 18 ft (5.5 m) and a deck 46 ft wide.

Who owns Martin L King Ave over Whippany River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.