US Bridges

Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook

Fair

Somerset County, New Jersey · 0.5 Miles E. of US 206 · Structure no. 18E0102

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
3,787
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook is a concrete slab carrying Princeton Avenue over Van Horn 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 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 3,787 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,544 by 2043. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 42 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPrinceton Avenue
CrossesVan Horn Brook
Location0.5 Miles E. of US 206
RouteCity Street 0
CountySomerset County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.39454, -74.64559
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.
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating87 US tons
Inventory rating52 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width42 ft (12.8 m)
Roadway width32 ft (9.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,787 (2023)
Projected traffic4,544 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook built?

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

What condition is Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook carry?

About 3,787 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 42 ft wide.

Who owns Princeton Avenue over Van Horn Brook?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.