Belleville Turnpike Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belleville Turnpike Bridge |
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2013
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| Coordinates | 40°47′11″N 74°08′51″W / 40.78639°N 74.14750°W |
| Carries |  Route 7 |
| Crosses | Passaic River |
| Locale | Belleville Kearny North Arlington in New Jersey |
| Other name(s) | Rutgers Street Bridge New Jersey Route 7 Bridge Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes de Oca Memorial Bridge |
| Owner | NJDOT |
| ID number | 0208150 |
| Preceded by | bridges built in 1790, 1841, 1915 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Lift |
| Material | Structural steel & reinforced concrete |
| Total length | 324.2 feet (98.8 m) |
| Width | 67.6 feet (20.6 m) |
| Longest span | 125 feet (38 m) |
| Number of spans | 5 |
| Clearance above | 16.1 feet (4.9 m) |
| Clearance below | 49.9 feet (15.2 m) (open) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 2002 |
| Opened | 2002 |
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The Belleville Turnpike Bridge is a special kind of bridge in New Jersey. It crosses the Passaic River. This bridge can actually lift up! It's also called the Rutgers Street Bridge or Route 7 Bridge.
This bridge is the fourth one built in this exact spot. It connects three different places: Belleville, Kearny, and North Arlington. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) owns and takes care of the bridge. It first opened in 2002.
How the Bridge Works
The Passaic River is about 90 miles long. The part near the bridge is affected by the ocean's tides. This means the water level goes up and down. Long ago, this river was very busy with boats. Even today, some boats still use it.
Because boats still travel on the river, the Belleville Turnpike Bridge needs to open. It's a vertical lift bridge, which means a section of the bridge goes straight up. This allows tall boats to pass underneath. The NJDOT operates this bridge. If a boat needs to pass, they usually have to give four hours' notice for the bridge to open.
A Look Back: Bridge History
People started settling near the Passaic River in the late 1600s. One of the first mines in the United States, the Schuyler Copper Mine, opened here in 1715. Many old houses from that time still stand along the riverbanks.
The first bridge at this spot was built in 1790. It was made of wood. Sadly, it burned down in 1841. But don't worry, a second bridge, called the White Bridge, was built right away. In 1914, a third bridge was built. This one was a bascule bridge, which means it opened like a seesaw. The current bridge, built in 2002, is the fourth one.
Honoring a Hero
On July 4, 2013, the Belleville Turnpike Bridge was given a special new name. It became the Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes de Oca Memorial Bridge. This was done to honor a brave U.S. Marine named Osbrany Montes de Oca. He was from North Arlington and was only 20 years old when he was hurt while serving in Afghanistan in 2012.
