US Bridges

Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River

FairPosted for load

Somerset County, New Jersey · North of Three Bridges RD · Structure no. 18A0605

Built
1890
135 years old, rebuilt 2000
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Aluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
Length
106 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
668
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River is a aluminum, wrought iron, or cast iron truss - thru carrying Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River in Somerset County, New Jersey. It was built in 1890 and reconstructed in 2000, so it is 135 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 668 vehicles a day, projected to reach 801 by 2043. The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesHigginsville Road
CrossesS. Branch Raritan River
LocationNorth of Three Bridges RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountySomerset County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.50921, -74.78526
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load 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 alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating30 US tons
Inventory rating22 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialAluminum, Wrought Iron, or Cast Iron
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length106 ft (32.3 m)
Longest span103 ft (31.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.9 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deck11 ft (3.4 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic668 (2023)
Projected traffic801 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusListed on the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River built?

It was built in 1890, making it 135 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2000.

What condition is Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River carry?

About 668 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River?

The structure is 106 ft (32.3 m) long with a longest span of 103 ft (31.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Higginsville Road over S. Branch Raritan River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.