US Bridges

County Route 540 over Salem Creek

Fair

Salem County, New Jersey · 0.7 Mi. Southeast of US40 · Structure no. 1700200

Built
1937
88 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
101 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,886
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Route 540 over Salem Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying County Route 540 over Salem Creek in Salem County, New Jersey. It was built in 1937, so it is 88 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 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 5,886 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,182 by 2043. The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long and 44 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCounty Route 540
CrossesSalem Creek
Location0.7 Mi. Southeast of US40
RouteCounty Highway 540
CountySalem County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates39.67053, -75.47025
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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length101 ft (30.8 m)
Longest span32 ft (9.8 m)
Deck width44 ft (13.4 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,886 (2023)
Projected traffic7,182 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Route 540 over Salem Creek built?

It was built in 1937, making it 88 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Route 540 over Salem 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does County Route 540 over Salem Creek carry?

About 5,886 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is County Route 540 over Salem Creek?

The structure is 101 ft (30.8 m) long with a longest span of 32 ft (9.8 m) and a deck 44 ft wide.

Who owns County Route 540 over Salem Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.