US Bridges

River Road over S Branch Raritan River

Fair

Morris County, New Jersey · 1.3 M West of CO Rt 612 · Structure no. 1401112

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Steel
Length
47 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,613
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

River Road over S Branch Raritan River is a steel arch - deck carrying River Road over S Branch Raritan River in Morris County, New Jersey. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 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 3,613 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,409 by 2043. The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long and 35 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRiver Road
CrossesS Branch Raritan River
Location1.3 M West of CO Rt 612
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorris County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.83422, -74.73889
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
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating110.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialSteel
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length47 ft (14.3 m)
Longest span21 ft (6.4 m)
Deck width35 ft (10.6 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,613 (2023)
Projected traffic4,409 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was River Road over S Branch Raritan River built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is River Road over S Branch Raritan River 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does River Road over S Branch Raritan River carry?

About 3,613 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is River Road over S Branch Raritan River?

The structure is 47 ft (14.3 m) long with a longest span of 21 ft (6.4 m) and a deck 35 ft wide.

Who owns River Road over S Branch Raritan River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.