US Bridges

I-78 EB over US 202 & 206

Poor

Somerset County, New Jersey · .5 Mi.E.Of I-78 EXIT-30 · Structure no. 1817155

Built
1965
60 years old, rebuilt 1986
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
129 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
44,922
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-78 EB over US 202 & 206 is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying I-78 EB over US 202 & 206 in Somerset County, New Jersey. It was built in 1965 and reconstructed in 1986, so it is 60 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 poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 44,922 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 53,906 by 2043. The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long and 75 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesI-78 EB
CrossesUS 202 & 206
Location.5 Mi.E.Of I-78 EXIT-30
RouteInterstate 78
Coordinates40.64264, -74.63802
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating65 US tons
Inventory rating39 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length129 ft (39.3 m)
Longest span61 ft (18.6 m)
Deck width75 ft (23 m)
Roadway width70 ft (21.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic44,922 (2023)
Projected traffic53,906 by 2043
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-78 EB over US 202 & 206 built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1986.

What condition is I-78 EB over US 202 & 206 in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in February 2023.

How much traffic does I-78 EB over US 202 & 206 carry?

About 44,922 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is I-78 EB over US 202 & 206?

The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long with a longest span of 61 ft (18.6 m) and a deck 75 ft wide.

Who owns I-78 EB over US 202 & 206?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.