Is ROUTE I-295 SB Safe?
ROUTE I-295 SB in New Jersey has a Condition Score of 74/100 (Grade B). The deck is rated 7/9, superstructure 7/9, and substructure 6/9. The bridge is not currently classified as structurally deficient. Built in 1994 (32 years old), it carries approximately 482K vehicles per day.
ROUTE I-295 SB carries a B on the BridgeSafety Condition Score with 74/100. Most component ratings are solid; one or two may show wear consistent with the structure’s age, but the bridge is not flagged as structurally deficient.
The bridge was built in 1994, making it 32 years old — past the early-life period but still well within typical service life. Routine inspections and modest repair work are normal for bridges in this age band. ROUTE I-295 SB carries an average daily traffic count of 482,142 vehicles, with 3 lane(s) crossing Crosswicks Creek. The owning agency is State Highway Agency; bridge inspection records flow into the federal NBI database annually.
BridgeSafety reads the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI) — the authoritative federal dataset covering every public road bridge longer than 20 feet in the United States. Each bridge record includes age, structural condition by component, traffic load, and the formal sufficiency rating that determines federal funding eligibility.
The Structurally Deficient designation flags bridges where at least one primary component (deck, superstructure, substructure) is rated in poor condition on the FHWA 0-9 scale. FHWA explicitly notes that bridges with this designation remain open and safe when they meet load-rating requirements; the designation signals rehabilitation need, not closure.
What the Condition Score Means
With a Condition Score of 74/100, ROUTE I-295 SB earns a B grade. Component ratings are in the "Satisfactory" range on the 0-9 NBI scale, the typical condition for an actively-maintained structure of its age. State DOT inspectors will continue routine biennial inspection cycles; targeted repairs (joint work, deck patching) are usually the operational response at this rating tier.
ROUTE I-295 SB is not currently classified as structurally deficient. All three primary components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — rate above 4 on the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale, the threshold for the federal "structurally deficient" label. The bridge remains in the routine inspection cycle (typically every 24 months) without triggering federal rehabilitation funding eligibility.
Component Ratings
| Component | Rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | 7 | /9 |
| Superstructure | 7 | /9 |
| Substructure | 6 | /9 |
| Overall Score | 74/100 | Grade B |
FHWA scale: 9 Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, lower readings indicate progressively worse condition. Component ratings reflect the most recent inspection submitted to the National Bridge Inventory.
Age and Traffic Context
ROUTE I-295 SB was built in 1994, 32 years ago. Bridges of this vintage are in mid-life and typically begin to require deck overlays, joint replacement, and steel painting on a recurring cycle. Age alone is not a condition indicator — many bridges of this era are well-maintained and rate Good across components.
ROUTE I-295 SB carries roughly 482K vehicles per day, a heavy traffic volume that places it among the higher-priority structures in the inventory for maintenance allocation. Heavy daily traffic accelerates deck wear, joint deterioration, and accumulated fatigue on superstructure elements, which is why busy interstate and arterial bridges often appear on rehabilitation priority lists.
Bridge Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ROUTE I-295 SB safe to cross?
ROUTE I-295 SB remains open to traffic at posted load limits set by the owning state DOT. Its current Condition Score is 74/100 (Grade B). NBI condition ratings describe observed physical condition; they are not closure or safety determinations. State DOTs and the FHWA bridge program are the authoritative sources for any operational restriction on a specific structure. The bridge does not meet the federal definition of "structurally deficient."
What do the deck, superstructure, and substructure ratings mean?
On the FHWA NBI 0-9 scale: 9 is Excellent, 7 Good, 5 Fair, 4 Poor, and 0 means the component has failed. ROUTE I-295 SB rates deck 7/9, superstructure 7/9, and substructure 6/9. The deck is the riding surface; the superstructure carries loads from deck to bearings (girders, beams, trusses); the substructure transfers loads to foundations (piers, abutments). A rating of 4 or lower on any of the three triggers the "structurally deficient" classification.
When was ROUTE I-295 SB last inspected?
Federal regulation requires inspection at least every 24 months by a certified team leader. Inspection records flow from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to the FHWA NBI; the dataset on this page reflects the 2025 federal NBI release, refreshed April 2026. For the most recent inspection report or any operational status (postings, lane closures), the New Jersey DOT is the authoritative source.
Is ROUTE I-295 SB structurally deficient?
No — ROUTE I-295 SB does not currently meet the FHWA "structurally deficient" definition. All three primary components rate above 4 on the NBI 0-9 scale.
Where can I see official inspection records for ROUTE I-295 SB?
The Federal Highway Administration publishes the underlying inspection data through the National Bridge Inventory (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi.cfm). The New Jersey DOT publishes additional state-level reporting and operational notices. The ASCE Infrastructure Report Card provides national-level analysis that draws on the same NBI data.