US Bridges

Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare

Fair

Ocean County, New Jersey · 2.5 MI S of Rt. US 9 · Structure no. 1516005

Built
1995
30 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
446 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare in Ocean County, New Jersey. It was built in 1995, so it is 30 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 240 by 2044. The structure is 446 ft (135.9 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

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CarriesGreat Bay Blvd
CrossesBig Thorofare
Location2.5 MI S of Rt. US 9
RouteCity Street 0
CountyOcean County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates39.56464, -74.34228
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating31 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1 (+12 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length446 ft (135.9 m)
Longest span72 ft (21.9 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2024)
Projected traffic240 by 2044
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare built?

It was built in 1995, making it 30 years old in 2025.

What condition is Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare 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 Big Thorofare carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare?

The structure is 446 ft (135.9 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (21.9 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Great Bay Blvd over Big Thorofare?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.