US Bridges

Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek

Fair

Ocean County, New Jersey · 5.0 MI South of Rt. US 9 · Structure no. 1516002

Built
1944
81 years old, rebuilt 1992
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
438 ft
33 main spans
Daily traffic
130
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek in Ocean County, New Jersey. It was built in 1944 and reconstructed in 1992, 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 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 130 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 155 by 2044. The structure is 438 ft (133.5 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGreat Bay Blvd
CrossesSheepshead Creek
Location5.0 MI South of Rt. US 9
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOcean County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates39.53228, -74.32014
Functional classRural Local

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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating61 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans33
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length438 ft (133.5 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width13 ft (3.9 m)
Roadway width12 ft (3.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic130 (2024)
Projected traffic155 by 2044
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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$2.4 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek built?

It was built in 1944, making it 81 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1992.

What condition is Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek 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 April 2024.

How much traffic does Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek carry?

About 130 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek?

The structure is 438 ft (133.5 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Great Bay Blvd over Sheepshead Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.