South Front Street Bridge

Opened in 1922 the South Front Street Bridge stands proudly. It’s a testament to engineering ingenuity. A Strauss heel trunnion bascule bridge it’s unique. It’s the only road-carrying bridge of its kind left in New Jersey. Imagine the American Bridge Company workers. They toiled to bring this marvel to life. The bridge’s intricate design is fascinating. Its trusses are different lengths. One side measures 131 feet 8 inches. The other is shorter at 116 feet 5 inches. The concrete substructure and massive counterweight have endured. They’ve seen countless repairs. A small brick bridge house stands nearby. It houses the original gears and electric motors added in 1940. The bridge initially had a wooden roadway. It was replaced by a steel deck in 1956. The pedestrian walkway remains wooden but not the original. The Elizabeth River once bustled with maritime activity. Six movable bridges accommodated the traffic. The opening of the New Jersey Turnpike changed everything. Shipping declined. Three bridges became fixed. Another was scrapped. The South First Street Bridge met a fiery end in 1984. Its control center destroyed it permanently closed. The South Front Street Bridge remains a solitary sentinel. It’s the last operational drawbridge in Union County. Its location is significant. It’s close to the former Chemical Control Corporation site. This notorious location was a hazardous waste disposal facility. A cleanup effort was massive. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of hazardous materials were removed. An explosion and fire in 1980 highlighted the dangers. Despite the environmental challenges the South Front Street Bridge perseveres. It’s a symbol of resilience. It awaits a decision on its future. Will it be rehabilitated? Will it continue to stand as a testament to a bygone era? The bridge stands silent. Its story continues to unfold.