US Bridges

Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15

Poor

Sussex County, New Jersey · 3.4 Miles No. of Rt 181 · Structure no. 1913150

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
189 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,455
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15 is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15 in Sussex County, New Jersey. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 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 3,455 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,215 by 2044. The structure is 189 ft (57.6 m) long and 68 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesBlue Heron Rd.
CrossesNew Jersey 15
Location3.4 Miles No. of Rt 181
CountySussex County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates41.01483, -74.61817
Functional classUrban 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating64 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length189 ft (57.6 m)
Longest span93 ft (28.3 m)
Deck width68 ft (20.8 m)
Roadway width52 ft (15.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,455 (2024)
Projected traffic4,215 by 2044
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway and pedestrian
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$4.1 million (2022 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15 built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15 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 2024.

How much traffic does Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15 carry?

About 3,455 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15?

The structure is 189 ft (57.6 m) long with a longest span of 93 ft (28.3 m) and a deck 68 ft wide.

Who owns Blue Heron Rd. over New Jersey 15?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.