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Bridges Did you know there are over 2,000 bridges in New Jersey? From covered bridges in rural areas to steel bridges connecting surrounding states to bridges linking the Jersey’s shoreline, these structures are a staple of the New Jersey roadways. Since New Jersey is located between New York and Pennsylvania, the Garden State’s bridges link all three together. There are many bridges that make up New Jersey, but some stand out as landmarks. In modern times, covered bridges are a symbol of nineteenth century America. Most people live in an urban or suburban area, but in the Northeast part of our country, numerous covered bridges are found in the countryside. These historic landmarks enhance the beauty of nature and bring us back to a time of simplicity and romance. To find covered bridges in Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas visit their web site.

TRENTON MAKES - THE WORLD TAKES BRIDGE

“Trenton Makes - The World Takes” bridge is a familiar sight in the state capital of Trenton. This bridge originally opened in January of 1806 and was the first bridge to span the Delaware River, connecting Morrisville, Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Here’s some stats…

• The present bridge built in 1928 on the old piers and abutments
• 5 span, Warren Truss, riveted steel
• Dual spans (21’ wide roadways)
• 8’ reinforced concrete sidewalk cantilevered outside the upstream truss
• Original “Trenton Makes-The World Takes” electric sign erected in 1935; replaced in 1981

For more information on the "Trenton Makes - The World Takes" bridge, Visit their web site.

CALHOUN STREET BRIDGE

The Calhoun Street Bridge is one of the few surviving long bridges of its type. It’s also the second oldest bridge over the Delaware River. This bridge opened in 1885 and is still used today by vehicles traveling to and from Trenton, New Jersey. The bridge was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in November, 1975. Here are some stats….

• Opened: 1884
• Builder/Engineer: Phoenix Bridge Company, Pheonixville, Pa.
• Length/Type/Spans: Seven span, wrought iron, pin-connected, Pratt trusses, total length is 1273’ - 3’
• Posting Limit: 3 tons
• Location: U.S. Route 30 over Delaware River from Morrisville, Pa to Trenton, NJ
• Condition: Vehicular Use

For more historical information on the Calhoun Street Bridge, visit the website.

GREEN SERGEANT’S COVERED BRIDGE

Green Sergeant’s Covered Bridge is the only historic covered bridge in the state of New Jersey. This bridge is located near Flemington in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Green Sergeant’s Bridge is distinctive because it has a modified Queenpost truss. Most bridges are located on highways or main roadways, but this covered bridge is found in the rural part of the state. Here are some stats….

• Length: 84 ft.
• Built: 1866
• Builder: Unknown
• Truss: Modified Queenpost
• Stream: Wickecheoke Creek
• Traffic: yes
• Alternate Name: Sergeantsville

It was believed that there was only one old covered bridge in New Jersey, which is true if dated before 1900. But in 1959, the Scarborough Bridge was created.
For more information on the Scarborough Bridge, visit the web site.

LUMBERVILLE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

Remember the days of the footbridge? In Hunterdon County, New Jersey, people can relive the memories by walking across the Lumberville Bridge from Lumberville, Pennsylvania to Raven Rock, New Jersey. This is the one bridge in New Jersey that allows only pedestrians to cross, no cyclists or cars. Here are some stats…

• The original bridge was built between 1853 to 1856
• Built by The Lumberville Delaware Bridge Company
• All piers and abutments constructed of rubble stone masonry shells with loose stone-filled core
• The bridge sustained minor damage during the flood of 1955

For more information on the history of Lumberville Pedestrian Bridge, visit this website.

GOETHALS BRIDGE

The Goethals Bridge is one out of three bridges connecting New Jersey to Staten Island, New York. This bridge is a memorial of Major General George W. Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal and the first consulting engineer of the Port Authority. The bridge spans the Arthur Kill and permits the passage of deep sea vessels. Here are some stats….

• Opened to Traffic: June 29, 1928
• Length of Center Span: 672 feet
• Total Length of Truss Spans: 1,152 feet
• Total Length of Bridge: 7,100 feet
• Width of Bridge: 62 feet
• Number of Traffic Lanes: 4 lanes
• Channel Clearance of Bridge at Mid-Span: 135 feet
• Cost of Original Structure: $7,200,000
• Typical Weekday Traffic: 37,919
• Total Annual Traffic: 13,889,159

For more information on the Bayonne Bridge and the Outerbridge Crossing, which connect New Jersey to New York, visit this web site.

BETSY ROSS BRIDGE

The Betsy Ross Bridge is a main expressway connector between New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This bridge was completed in 1974, but nearby neighborhood protesters delayed the opening until April 30, 1976. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Betsy Ross Bridge carries approximately 45,000 vehicles across the Delaware River everyday. Here are some stats….

• Type of Bridge: Steel Truss
• Construction Started: June 12, 1969
• Length of main span: 729 feet
• Length of each side span: 364 feet, 6 inches
• Total Length of bridge and approches: 8,485 feet
• Number of traffic lanes: 6 lanes
• Foundation Type: Piles
• Cost of original structure: $103,000,000
• Passenger Car Toll: $3.00

For more information on the complete history of the Betsy Ross Bridge, visit this web site.

HIGH BRIDGE

The original area, known as West New Jersey, was inhabited by a division of the Lenape Indians and settled around 1700. In 1742, William Allen leased a 300-acre site extending from present day Califon, New Jersey, to Pattenburg from the West Jersey Society, on which he and his partner, Joseph Turner, established the first ironworks in Philadelphia's colonial times. In 1752, Allen and Turner purchased 10,849 acres in Bethlehem and Lebanon Townships which included our present-day High Bridge. In early 1758, Robert Taylor came to the area from Ireland at the age of 17. Well educated, he first taught school in Kingwood Township, but became bookkeeper for Allen and Turner toward the close of 1758 having taken residence with then ironworks Superintendent Colonel Hackett in a house now a portion of the Taylor mansion (now Solitude House located at 7 River Road). When Colonel Hackett died in 1775, Robert Taylor was chosen as his successor.

High Bridge was named for a 1,300 foot long, 112 foot high bridge built by the Central Railroad Company across the South Branch of the Raritan River. It was too costly to maintain and was subsequently filled in with an earthen embankment, leaving a double-arch culvert through which the river and Arch Street passes. Construction of the embankment began in 1859 and took five years to complete.

For more information on the complete history of the Betsy Ross Bridge, visit this web site.