US Bridges

Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River

Fair

Morris County, New Jersey · 50FEET West of River Road · Structure no. 1401114

Built
1994
31 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
104 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
2,198
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River is a steel truss - thru carrying Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River in Morris County, New Jersey. It was built in 1994, so it is 31 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 2,198 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,682 by 2043. The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesDrakestown Road
CrossesSo.Branch Raritan River
Location50FEET West of River Road
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMorris County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.82931, -74.72392
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating64 US tons
Inventory rating38 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length104 ft (31.7 m)
Longest span101 ft (30.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.6 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,198 (2023)
Projected traffic2,682 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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.8 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River built?

It was built in 1994, making it 31 years old in 2025.

What condition is Drakestown Road over So.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 Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River carry?

About 2,198 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River?

The structure is 104 ft (31.7 m) long with a longest span of 101 ft (30.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Drakestown Road over So.Branch Raritan River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.