 Bridge in Oldmans Twp. The final two historic truss bridges in the county. & few in NJ.){kind=link}
SALEM COUNTY, NJ — Salem County’s landscape is defined by its winding creeks and broad rivers, a geography that necessitates a vast network of crossings. Among these, two structures stand out as remnants of a bygone era: New Bridge in Quinton Twp. plus an end in Lower Alloways Creek Township and the Oldmans Creek (Nortonville) Bridge in Oldmans Township. These represent the final two historic truss bridges still standing in the county.
New Bridge: A Century of Engineering
The Hand-Turned Swing Span
Connecting Quinton Twp. and Lower Alloways Creek Township (CR623), New Bridge is a remarkable example of early 20th-century rural engineering. Built in 1905 by the New Jersey Bridge Company of Manasquan, it is a hand-turned, center-bearing swing bridge. According to the Historic American Engineering Survey (HAER-88), the bridge remains under the ownership of Salem County.
Old iron lever to pull that allow the bridge to manually swing the bridge which was created in 1906
Design and Preservation
Though it served as a vital link in New Jersey’s transportation heritage, the bridge’s specific swing truss shape is now considered one of the rarest designs in existence. At its peak, the bridge featured ornate details, including portal cresting, a builder’s plaque, and four decorative finials. While only a few finials remain today, the truss itself retains high historic integrity.
Iron support beams along the side of the bridge that is longer in use and hasn’t been used to vehicle travel for decades. It is still one of two Salem County historic truss bridges that are very rare.
Although the bridge hasn’t opened for maritime traffic since the 1960s—and has been closed to vehicular traffic since 1991—much of the original mechanical machinery remains intact beneath the deck.
In 2014, William Miller, Assistant County Superintendent of Bridges, stated, “There are no future plans for replacing or removing the bridge.”
Beings nothing has been done to the bridge in decades and it still spans Alloway Creek, the historic bridge doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Oldmans Creek (Nortonville) Bridge
The New Deal Vertical Lift
The bridge spanning Oldmans Creek is a well-preserved example of a vertical lift bridge, a design that represented a significant leap in structural steel construction. Built in 1936 during the reconstruction of NJ Highway Route 44, this bridge was a New Deal public works project. The renowned firm of Ash, Howard, Needles, and Tammen served as consulting engineers.
Current Status
While the vertical lift mechanism was sealed in the late 1960s—following the decline of the local maritime economy—the bridge remains a workhorse. Unlike its counterpart in Lower Alloways Creek, the Nortonville Bridge continues to carry daily traffic between Oldmans Township and Gloucester County, serving as a functional piece of living history. However, there seems to be construction occurring along the banks of the Oldmans Creek on the western side of the bridge. It is unknown if this bridge is plan on being replaced or not.
Car passes over the Nortonville Bridge Historic Truss Bridge on the border of Oldmans Township and Gloucester County.
Comparison of Salem County’s Historic Truss Bridges
| Feature | New Bridge (LAC) | Oldmans Creek Bridge |
| Type | Center-bearing Swing Bridge | Vertical Lift Bridge |
| Year Built | 1905 | 1936 |
| Primary Use | Historic Monument (Closed) | Active Vehicular Traffic |
| Last Maritime Use | 1960s | Late 1960s |
| Notable Feature | Hand-turned machinery | New Deal Era Project |
Check out a photo gallery of the Nortonville Bridge – Staff Photos by Zachary Ahl
