US Bridges

Sunset Road over Back Brook

Good

Somerset County, New Jersey · 0.5 MI East Belle Mead RD · Structure no. 18D0302

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Good
inspected August 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,168
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Sunset Road over Back Brook is a concrete slab carrying Sunset Road over Back Brook in Somerset County, New Jersey. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 1,168 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,402 by 2043. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 45 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSunset Road
CrossesBack Brook
Location0.5 MI East Belle Mead RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountySomerset County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.43014, -74.68984
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating45 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span25 ft (7.6 m)
Deck width45 ft (13.6 m)
Roadway width36 ft (11 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,168 (2023)
Projected traffic1,402 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Sunset Road over Back Brook built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is Sunset Road over Back Brook in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Sunset Road over Back Brook carry?

About 1,168 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Sunset Road over Back Brook?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 25 ft (7.6 m) and a deck 45 ft wide.

Who owns Sunset Road over Back Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.