US Bridges

Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line

Fair

Warren County, New Jersey · 2.2 MI SE I-78&US22 JCT · Structure no. 2160152

Built
1891
134 years old, rebuilt 2002
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
15
2023 count
Owner
State
Other State Agency

About this bridge

Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line in Warren County, New Jersey. It was built in 1891 and reconstructed in 2002, so it is 134 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.

It carries about 15 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 30 by 2043. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 13 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWelsh Spur Road
CrossesRaritan Valley Line
Location2.2 MI SE I-78&US22 JCT
RouteCity Street 0
CountyWarren County
StateNew Jersey
Coordinates40.64745, -75.10565
Functional classRural 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.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width13 ft (4 m)
Roadway width13 ft (4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic15 (2023)
Projected traffic30 by 2043
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerOther State Agency
Maintained byOther State Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line built?

It was built in 1891, making it 134 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2002.

What condition is Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line 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 January 2023.

How much traffic does Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line carry?

About 15 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 13 ft wide.

Who owns Welsh Spur Road over Raritan Valley Line?

It is owned by the Other State Agency.