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Revision as of 03:05, 13 November 2008 by Dough4872 (talk | contribs) (added who bridge was named after)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Bridge in New Jersey and Kearny, New Jersey| Wittpenn Bridge | |
|---|---|
 The Wittpenn Bridge carries NJ Route 7 over the Hackensack River | |
| Coordinates | 40°44′26″N 74°04′53″W / 40.7406°N 74.0813°W / 40.7406; -74.0813 |
| Carries | 4 Lanes of NJ Route 7 |
| Crosses | Hackensack River |
| Locale | Jersey City, New Jersey and Kearny, New Jersey |
| Official name | Wittpenn Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Route 7 Bridge |
| Maintained by | New Jersey Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Lift bridge |
| Total length | 2,169 feet |
| Width | 40 feet |
| Longest span | 83 feet |
| Clearance below | 35 ft (lowered); 100 ft (raised) |
| History | |
| Opened | November 5, 1930 |
| Location | |
The Wittpenn Bridge is a vertical lift bridge that carries New Jersey Route 7 over the Hackensack River connecting Kearny and Jersey City, New Jersey. It is named after H. Otto Wittpenn, a former mayor of Jersey City. The bridge is comprised of four ten-foot wide lanes, extending 2,169 feet and standing 35 feet above mean high water with an 83 foot main lift span. Bridge construction commenced 1927, and was opened to vehicular traffic November 5, 1930. The bridge has an Annual average daily traffic (AADT) of nearly 50,000 vehicles, including about 2,000 trucks
When raised, the bridge provides 100 feet of clearance for ships. In 2005, the bridge was raised to accommodate 80 boats passing underneath, a process that takes 15 minutes to raise the lift span.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is developing plans to replace the Wittpenn Bridge and all its approach ramps (including connections to U.S. Route 1/9), a project estimated to cost $350 million, funded by federal dollars. Once funding issues have been addressed, construction is expected to start in the spring of 2007. The new bridge would be situated just north of the existing bridge.
References
- ^ Picture this: Drawbridge Operator, The Record (Bergen County), April 11, 2005
- Route 7 Wittpenn Bridge - Frequently Asked Questions, accessed October 19, 2006
External links
- Wittpenn Bridge - Historic Overview
- Route 7 Wittpenn Bridge: Kearny and Jersey City, Hudson County - Preliminary Design Development
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