Manners Road Bridge South

Information and Findings From New Jersey's Historic Bridge Inventory

 Summary

The 4-panel Warren with verticals pony truss of riveted construction bears on concrete abutments with stone wingwalls. The use of heavy box sections in the design is an example of a secondary stress design. Floorbeams are riveted to angles which are riveted to the gusset plates at the lower panel points. The pipe railings are original. There are some welded repairs. The bridge is a noteworthy example of the work of local fabricator The Dover Boiler Works that was active until at least 1919.

Setting/Context

The bridge carries one lane of a quiet country road over a minor stream in a wooded rural setting, adjacent to a plant nursery.

Physical Description

The four panel, 65'-long, Warren with verticals pony truss bridge of riveted construction is supported on concrete abutments. The top chord and inclined end posts are built-up box members composed of channels, toe in, with riveted cover plate on the top and lacing on the underside. Verticals are composed of angles with lacing as are the interior diagonals. The bottom chord is plate riveted at the panel points to square gusset plates. The floor beams are attached to the panel points by riveted angle hangers. The pipe railing on the bridge and one approach is original. The bridge has a concrete deck. Modifications to the original design are minimal, limited primarily to small welded repairs and concrete reinforcement.

Historical and Technological Significance

In addition to being technologically distinguished as a notable representative example of a riveted Warren pony truss bridge, the 1914 span is historically significant as a well-preserved example of the work of The Dover Boiler Works. The Dover, New Jersey firm is documented as having begun fabrication of bridges in 1901 (Darnell, 32), and they continued building truss bridges in Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties through at least 1919. The riveted Warren pony truss was one of the most common bridge types in this country during the last decade of the 19th and first three decades of the 20th centuries. The Warren pony truss bridge is well represented in Hunterdon county where 25 dating from the 20th century survive. This example was evaluated as a significant representative example because of its state of preservation, integrity of setting, and historical association with a local fabricator.

Boundary Description and Justification

The span is located on an unspoiled country road. It is individually distinguished, so the significant boundary is limited to the span itself.

Sources

Hunterdon County Engineer's Office, Bridge Card E239. Hunterdon County Master Plan: Sites of Historic Interest. 1979.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes