US Bridges

Lake RD over Watnong Brook

Fair

Morris County, New Jersey · 2.45MI W I-287&NJ24 JCT · Structure no. 1400799

Built
1944
81 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
26 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,761
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake RD over Watnong Brook is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Lake RD over Watnong Brook in Morris County, New Jersey. It was built in 1944 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 81 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 2,761 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,368 by 2043. The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesLake RD
CrossesWatnong Brook
Location2.45MI W I-287&NJ24 JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorris County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.81405, -74.4939
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating92 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length26 ft (7.9 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.9 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,761 (2023)
Projected traffic3,368 by 2043
Trucks3%
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 proposedWidening of existing bridge without deck rehabilitation
Estimated improvement cost$311,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Lake RD over Watnong Brook built?

It was built in 1944, making it 81 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Lake RD over Watnong 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does Lake RD over Watnong Brook carry?

About 2,761 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Lake RD over Watnong Brook?

The structure is 26 ft (7.9 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Lake RD over Watnong Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.