Essex County Bridge Report Card
Essex County scores 79 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Essex County, New Jersey
Essex County has 504 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 14 rated poor and 16 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 2.8% is at or below the 5.8% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 590,245 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Essex County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 79/100 (C). The county has 504 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 14 in poor condition and 16 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 590,245 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 2.8% | 5.6 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.8% of measured traffic | 2.9 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 3.2% | 6.3 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 62 years vs 48 nationally | 5.8 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 15,405,538 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 2.8% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 5.8% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 3.2% |
| Average Bridge Age | 62 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 590,245 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Essex County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Street over Passaic River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 21,920 | 1908 |
| Njtpk Snw&nsw Rwy over Passaic Riv Pcrr Crr Con | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 134,566 | 1970 |
| US 1&9 over Passaic R Njtpk Rr 1&9t | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 85,904 | 1932 |
| I-78EB Outer Ramps over Conrail (mp 11.33) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 84,700 | 1972 |
| I-78 WB Ramps over Conrail Mp 11.25 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 83,060 | 1973 |
| I-280 Westbound over Orange 1st St. Ramp Njt | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 52,375 | 1972 |
| I-280 Eastbound over Proposed Essex Co.pk.rd | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 38,906 | 1972 |
| I-78 Ramps 2 & 6 over I-78 & I-78 Ramps 4 &13 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,775 | 1968 |
| Valley RD over Route I-280 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 15,296 | 1971 |
| Rdgwd AVE (cr 653) over Conrail (abnd) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,409 | 1900 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.