US Bridges

Roy Road over Papakating Creek

Poor

Sussex County, New Jersey · 0.5 MI SE of CR 565 · Structure no. 1900X01

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected April 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
45 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
208
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Roy Road over Papakating Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Roy Road over Papakating Creek in Sussex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 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 208 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 254 by 2043. The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRoy Road
CrossesPapakating Creek
Location0.5 MI SE of CR 565
RouteCity Street 0
CountySussex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates41.16997, -74.65672
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionApril 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating94 US tons
Inventory rating56 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length45 ft (13.7 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.5 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic208 (2023)
Projected traffic254 by 2043
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.5 million (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Roy Road over Papakating Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is Roy Road over Papakating Creek 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Roy Road over Papakating Creek carry?

About 208 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Roy Road over Papakating Creek?

The structure is 45 ft (13.7 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Roy Road over Papakating Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.