An iron bridge truss from the late 1800s will find new life later this year when it becomes part of the months long restoration project to rehabilitate the Valley Road bridge in Hopewell Township.
The historic truss superstructure from the old Bear Tavern Road bridge, also known as the Jacob’s Creek Bridge, was was removed and preserved when the structure was dismantled in 2011. At the time, the bridge had already been closed for two years after officials determined that it was structurally unsound for regular use.
According to Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, the truss is being restored as part of a $1.4 million contract between the Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Newark-based State Line Construction Company to repair the Valley Road Bridge over Moore’s Creek, between Pleasant Valley Road and Woodens Lane.
Located near the Howell Living History Farm, which is operated by the Mercer County Park Commission, the Valley Road bridge was ultimately determined by county officials to be the most optimal location for the 19th century truss.
The State Historic Preservation Office approved the truss restoration project, as well as the relocation of the truss to the Valley Road Bridge.
“From a historical perspective, the Moore’s Creek location made the most sense because a truss bridge had been there previously,” Hughes said.
Members of the truss that are deteriorated, or portions of those members, are being fabricated by Susan R. Bauer Inc., a bridge fabricator located in Ringwood, and incorporated into the old truss.
The existing Valley Road Bridge structure is a single span, simply supported steel beam structure. It is supported on full height abutments built on spread footings. The reconstructed bridge will be a 64-foot span by 29-foot-4-inch-wide main structure supported on the existing abutments. It will support the rehabilitated historic Bear Tavern Road Bridge truss superstructure, which has a span length of 75 feet, 3 3/8 inches and width of 31 feet. A cantilever sidewalk will be provided along the north side.
The proposed cross section will consist of two 11-foot travel lanes, two 2-foot-wide shoulders and 4-foot tall bridge railings. The superstructure will consist of steel beams with a composite reinforced concrete deck.
As a result of the work being done on the bridge, all traffic will be closed from when the project starts on or about April 16 until approximately mid-August, weather permitting. A detour will be posted directing motorists to use Pleasant Valley Road, Barry Road, County Route 518 (Brunswick Pike) and Woodens Lane.
