Union Avenue Bridge is a vehicular bridge over the Passaic River in northeastern New Jersey, crossing the county line at the town of Rutherford in Bergen County and the city of Passaic in Passaic County.[6] It takes its name from Union Avenue (CR S32) in Rutherford which connects to River Drive (and access to Route 21) in Passaic. The two-lane, four-span fixed bridge which opened in 2002 is 13.2 miles (21.2 km) from the river's mouth at Newark Bay.[7] There is another Union Avenue Bridge traversing the Passaic at Little Falls
Union Avenue Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 40°50′30″N 74°07′23″W / 40.84162°N 74.12301°W |
| Carries | Union Avenue (CR S32) to River Drive and Route 21 |
| Crosses | Passaic River |
| Locale | Rutherford & Passaic, New Jersey |
| Other name(s) | Douglas O. Mead Bridge |
| Owner | Bergen County and Passaic County |
| Maintained by | NJDOT |
| ID number | 1600022[1] |
| Preceded by | 1896 |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Steel/concrete |
| Total length | 295.9 feet (90.2 m) |
| Width | 39 feet (12 m) |
| Longest span | 80.1 feet (24.4 m) |
| No. of spans | 4 |
| Clearance above | 16.1 feet (4.9 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | M.J. Paquet, Inc[2] |
| Construction cost | $9.5m |
| Opened | 2002 |
| Location | |
 | |
| References | |
| [3][4][5] | |
History
editThe bridge replaced an earlier structure built in 1896.[5] In 1963 it was struck by a barge which left it damaged; requiring it remain in the open position for two weeks.[8] It was dedicated to Douglas O. Mead (1894–1971), a World War I and World War II veteran.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Interim Bridge Report" (PDF). NJDOT. August 9, 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^ DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNION AVENUE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER PASSAIC RIVER CONTRACT AWARD DATE OCTOBER 30, 2000
- ^ "Uglybridges.com - UNION AVENUE over PASSAIC RIVER, Bergen County, New Jersey". Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "Bridgehunter.com - Passaic River Bridge". bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Union Avenue Bridge over Passaic River" (PDF). Historic Bridge Survey (1991–1994). New Jersey Department of Transportation. 2001. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
The Pratt thru truss swing span supported on ashlar and concrete substructure has double intersecting Warren deck truss approach spans. In 1924 the bridge operation was motorized. Cables were added at an unknown date to strengthen several truss diagonals. In 1977 an approach span collapsed and emergency repairs were made. An early and increasingly rare example of a thru truss swing bridge built by nationally recognized NYC engineers Dean and Westbrook, the span is evaluated as eligible.
- ^ "Union Avenue bridge over Passaic River to open to traffic tonight" (Press release). NJDOT. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- ^ "Section 117.739 - Passaic River" (PDF). Code of Federal Regulations Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters Volume: 1. Government Publishing Office. July 1, 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ "Ramming by Empty Barge Cripples Passaic Bridge" (PDF).