|
Eight unique historic bridges located in Somerset County
are described below. All are open to vehicular and pedestrian
traffic except the Nevius Street Bridge.
For more information,
contact the Somerset County Planning Office, Administration
Building, Somerville, NJ 08807. 908-231-7000, ext 7242. Ask
for Tom D’Amico.
Kingston Bridge
On old Rt. 27, Franklin stands the oldest bridge in Somerset County. It is a four-arch stone bridge, constructed in 1798, that replaced a bridge burned by the Continental Army during the Revolution. Once carried the King’s Highway and later the Lincoln Highway over the Millstone River. It’s part of Kingston Mill Historic District.
Cat Tail Brook Bridge
On Montgomery Road, in Hillsborough, there is a single-arch
stone bridge, built in 1825 of local fieldstone. It is an
example of local stone craftsmanship from the early 19th century.
Higginsville Road Bridges
Two Pratt truss road bridges span the South Branch of the
Raritan River on Higginsville Road, in Hillsborough. One was
fabricated by Milliken Brothers of New York (1890) and the
other by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton Ohio (1893).
Both are intact examples of 19th century bridge technology
and construction techniques.
Bedens Brook Road Bridge
On Bedens Brook Road, Montgomery, is a single-arch, 20-foot long random rubble stone structure built across a tributary of Bedens Brook. Its stonework, arch, parapets and wing walls are still intact, and thought to have been constructed in the late 19th century.
Mill Pond Bridge
Located within the picturesque Bridgepoint Historic District, on Mill Pond Road in Montgomery, is a three-arch, random-rubble stone bridge that was constructed in the 1820’s. It was repaired and restored by Somerset County in 2000.
Opossum Road Bridge
Built across Bedens Brook in 1822, the Opossum Road Bridge is a double-arched, random rubble stone bridge that retains its original stonework, arches, parapets and approaches. It is 54 feet long and rises to a camelback shape at its center, which is 18 feet above the brook bed. The bridge can be found on Opossum Road in Montgomery.
Nevius Street Bridge
Constructed in 1886, this wrought-iron bridge is the last
remaining double-intersection pratt through-truss in Somerset
County. It is on Nevius Street in Raritan, still in a remarkable
state of preservation, though closed to vehicular traffic.
|
