News 12 New Jersey viewers are sounding off on last week’s Kane In Your Corner's “State of Disrepair” investigation, which found nearly 600 bridges in New Jersey - almost 1 in 10 - are structurally deficient, and some have been for decades.
On Facebook, Michelle writes: "NJ is the 3rd wealthiest state…but we still have pot holes, crumbling bridges, etc. Where is all the state money going?!" Bruce adds: "Absolute shame with all the taxes we pay."
Some viewers inquired about bridges near them. Chad said he thought the Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge, which connects Fair Lawn and Paterson, “is on its last leg” and “needs to be checked out ASAP.” Kane In Your Corner checked the 2017 National Bridge Inventory database and found the bridge to be deficient, with both the superstructure and substructure rated in “Poor” condition. The bridge has a sufficiency rating of 15 percent. The good news: a contract has been issued to replace it.
Several viewers also asked about the Goodkind Bridges on Route 1 in Middlesex County, including Michael, who says they are “literally crumbling.” In this case, 2017 federal bridge data found the Goodkind Bridges were not deficient. The southbound side was rated “Satisfactory” and the northbound side was rated “Fair”, but barely. Inspectors awarded both the northbound superstructure and substructure ratings of 5. If either drops one point in its next inspection, the bridge would be considered defective and in need of rehab.
Do you have a structurally deficient bridge near you? Find out by checking
Kane In Your Corner’s interactive map.
And you can go
Inside the Investigation with the
Kane In Your Corner team, as they discuss what it took to put this project together.