MINOR BRIDGES
Although all of these bridges are owned and maintained by the Commission, only the Route 73 Overpass and the Pennsauken Creek Bridge were actually built by the Commission. The other bridges were either bought directly by the Commission from private owners or were acquired through an arrangement with Burlington County.
Pennsauken Creek Bridge
• Construction began in 1960
• Construction completed in 1961
• Opened to traffic August 4, 1962
• Three-span, simply supported steel I-beam type structure
• Carries County Route 543 (known locally as River Road) across Pennsauken Creek on the Burlington and Camden County border
• Roadway 42 feet wide and nearly 158 feet long
• Two 3½ foot pedestrian sidewalks
• General contractor was Brann and Stuart Company from Trenton, NJ
• Cost for this bridge and Route 73 Overpass Bridge was approximately $860,000
• Built to replace the original bridge to the north because of increased traffic and the need to improve traffic flow to and from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge (For many years County Route 543 crossed Route 73 at the same elevation)
• The opening of this bridge was delayed because of unstable soil conditions in the existing marshlands, which postponed the completion of the cloverleaf ramp roadways. A soil expert from Columbia University, specializing in soil mechanics and foundations, was consulted to ensure that the roadways could be paved without any adverse impact to the traveling public.
• Decks and sidewalks were replaced in May 2004, due to heavy truck traffic traveling into Camden County. Actual construction, which began in early 2003, occurred in three stages in order to maintain traffic in both directions during construction.
Route 73 Overpass
• Construction began in 1960
• Construction completed in 1961
• Opened to traffic August 4, 1962
• Cost for this bridge and Route 73 Overpass Bridge was approximately $860,000
• Built to replace the original bridge to the north because of increased traffic and the need to improve traffic flow to and from the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge (for many years County Route 543 crossed Route 73 at the same elevation)
• The opening of this bridge was delayed because of unstable soil conditions in the existing marshlands, which postponed the completion of the cloverleaf ramp roadways. A soil expert from Columbia University, specializing in soil mechanics and foundations, was consulted to ensure that the roadways could be paved without any adverse impact to the traveling public.
• Decks and sidewalks were replaced in May 2004, due to heavy truck traffic traveling into Camden County. Actual construction, which began in early 2003, occurred in three stages in order to maintain traffic in both directions during construction.
Pompeston Creek Bridge
• Single span, rolled I-beam type structure
• Carries County Route 543 (River Road) over Pompeston Creek in Riverton Borough
• Roadway is 46 feet wide and approximately 31 feet long
• Safety walk on the east side and a 5 foot sidewalk on the west side for pedestrians
• Western 70% portion of the bridge built by Burlington County in 1934
• Acquired by the Commission from the County in 1966
Swede Run Bridge
• Single span, rolled wide beam type structure
• Carries County Route 543 (St. Mihiel Drive) over Swede Run in Delran Borough
• Roadway is 46 feet wide and approximately 54 feet long
• Safety walk on the east side and a 5 foot sidewalk on the west side for pedestrians
• Originally built in the 1920s by Burlington County
• Reconstructed in 1934; superstructure rebuilt and roadway widened
• Acquired by the Commission from the County in 1966
• Widened again to the east in 1966
• Current bridge, which replaced the shorter 1920s/1934/1966 bridge, was built in 1974 and opened to traffic on October 14, 1996
• Marquis Construction Company from Newfoundland, NJ was the general contractor
• Total construction cost was approximately $1,200,000
Twin Pipe Culvert
• Structure runs under County Route 543 (Burlington Ave) in Delanco Borough
• Consists of two 48-inch diameter corrugated metal pipes, approximately 60 feet long, which are filled on top with soil and paved over with a bituminous concrete riding surface
• It is believed that Burlington County built this culvert structure sometime in the 1920s or 1930s
• Acquired by the Commission from the County in 1966