US Bridges

Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek

Fair

Passaic County, New Jersey · 0.33 MI S. of Stowaway RD · Structure no. 1600430

Built
1850
175 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Arch - Deck
Masonry
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
11,743
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek is a masonry arch - deck carrying Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek in Passaic County, New Jersey. It was built in 1850, so it is 175 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 11,743 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 14,329 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesUnion Valley Road
CrossesBelchers Creek
Location0.33 MI S. of Stowaway RD
RouteCounty Highway 513
CountyPassaic County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates41.11994, -74.38227
Functional classUrban Minor Arterial

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.
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 2023
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating57 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeArch - Deck
MaterialMasonry
DeckNot applicable
Main spans1 (+1 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span12 ft (3.7 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.1 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic11,743 (2023)
Projected traffic14,329 by 2043
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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$1.4 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek built?

It was built in 1850, making it 175 years old in 2025.

What condition is Union Valley Road over Belchers 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 2023.

How much traffic does Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek carry?

About 11,743 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 12 ft (3.7 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns Union Valley Road over Belchers Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.