Landing Lane Bridge

Landing Lane Bridge is part of County Route 609 and spans the Raritan River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey. The two lane bridge connects Piscataway to the north with New Brunswick and Franklin Township to the south. The approaching roadways on both sides are known as "Landing Lane." The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park and towpath is accessible from the bridge.

The original truss Landing Lane Bridge in 1991
Landing Lane Bridge
Photo of the bridge from the John A. Lynch, Sr. Memorial Bridge, 2010
Coordinates40°30′31″N 74°27′50″W
Carries2 lanes of CR 609 (Landing Lane) and 1 sidewalk
CrossesRaritan River
LocaleNew Brunswick and Piscataway, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Maintained byMiddlesex County
Characteristics
No. of spans3
Piers in water2
History
Opened1895
Location

The current span officially was opened in 1895, replacing a previous structure. However, the entire metal grate deck and steel truss was replaced in 1995 with a slightly wider modern metal beam structure and an asphalt covered roadway.[1] The piers were only refurbished rather than being replaced, as this would have required Coast Guard approval, which would have added years to the refurbishment project. (The river, though unnavigable at this location, is under Coast Guard jurisdiction as it is tidal from Raritan Bay to a few hundred yards north of the Landing Lane Bridge.) This complication also prevented the bridge from being replaced with a four-lane-wide span. The plaque from the 1895 metal truss structure is on display at the northern end of the bridge.

During the American Revolutionary War, Washington's troops were retreating from the British over the Landing Lane Bridge. Washington ordered his troops to destroy the bridge to impede the British. The bridge was partially destroyed before the British caught up with them.

The bridge helps to connect the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000 mile long trail system connecting Maine to Florida.

See also

References
  1. Deak, Mike. "New Brunswick: Landing Lane bridge over Delaware & Raritan Canal to be replaced". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.


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