Temporary Browning Road Bridge
NBI Information
Location
State: New Jersey
County: Camden County
Feature Carried: Browning Road (CO-659)
Feature Crossed: I-295
Latitude, Longitude: 39.8717,-75.1017
Toll: On free road
Maintenance Responsibility: State Highway Agency
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open, temporary structure in place to carry legal loads while original structure is closed and awaiting replacement or rehabilitation
History
Year Built: 2021
Historical Significance: Historical significance is not determinable at this time.
Year Reconstructed: None
Date Demolished: August 19, 2025
Picture Date: September 2, 2023 and August 19, 2025
Geometry
Lanes on Structure: 2
Lanes under Structure: 13
Skew: 38 degrees
Number of Main Spans: 2
Main Structure Type: Truss - Thru
Main Structure Material: Steel
Number of Approach Spans: None
Approach Structure Type: None
Approach Structure Material: None
Condition
Inspection Date: April 2022
Deck Condition: Satisfactory
Superstructure Condition: Poor
Substructure Condition: Satisfactory
Channel Condition: Not Applicable
Culvert: Not Applicable
NBI Year: 2024
Bridge Information
The Temporary Browning Road Bridge is part of the ongoing Direct Connection Project. This project is a $900 million project designed to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion at the intersection of I-295 with I-76 and Route 42 by providing a new direct passage for I-295 through traffic.
The temporary bridge is needed to that the existing Browning Road bridge can be replaced without causing significant impact to the traveling public. The completion of the new bridge will allow for the installation of the I-295 roadway which will be placed overhead.
The temporary bridge is a modular truss-style bridge that was developed by Acrow Corporation. The Acrow bridges are modern versions of the Baily Bridges that were used in WWII. This bridge carries 2 travel lanes (one in each direction), as well as a pedestrian sidewalk and numerous utilities. It is a two-span structure with span lengths of 240 ft and 210 ft, and a roadway width of 24 ft.
The installation of the bridges is fascinating because the bridge is pushed (or launched) into place, not lifted by canes like a conventional bridge. The bridge was assembled in 3 main sections. As each section is completed, it was pushed or launched into place. The first push resulted in an approximately 100-foot section of the temporary bridge beyond the east abutment. The second push extended the temporary bridge to the center pier and partial beyond it. The third push extended the bridge all the way to the west abutment. This launch occurred in early August of 2021.
After the bridge was launched, there was still several weeks of work that needed before traffic could be shifted. That work included completing the approaches, installing deck panels, securing utilities, and completing the pedestrian walkway. The bridge opened in the fall of 2021 and was anticipated to be in use for two years.
The new Browning Road Bridge opened to traffic on June 13, 2025, and the temporary bridge was closed. It was removed in August of 2025, and was in use for two years longer than originally anticipated.
References
Temporary Bridge Removal
