The 317-foot Court Street Bridge, spanning the Hackensack River, was originally constructed in 1908 as a center bearing Warren through-truss swing span, with two (2) steel deck girder approach spans on a concrete substructure. This swing bridge, over this federally designated navigable waterway, is the most upstream bridge required by federal regulations to open upon request. Due to the historic nature of the structure, the design of the replacement bridge was required to include identically configured trusses, while incorporating re-usable members of the original trusses. Since this was federally funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), it was administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation Bureau of Local Aid which mandated that the Construction Engineering and Inspection services be in conformance with FHWA guidelines, and in compliance with the Bureau’s special provisions for projects under this federally funded program.

The reconstruction of the Court Street Bridge utilized new and improved materials to construct an old style of bridge. Center pivot swing span bridges are rarely constructed in the State of New Jersey, or for that matter, nationwide. Due to its historic significance, the bridge was reconstructed to replicate its original old time charm. The swing span portion of the bridge involved incorporating existing truss steel with new steel to produce a replica of the existing swing span. The integration of the existing vertical and diagonal no-critical truss members, with new galvanized floor beams, stringers, and lower chords, produced a structurally sound swing span.