Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge

The Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge is one of the numerous bridges across the Delaware River connecting NJ and PA. It is a three-span Warren Through Truss, with a total length of 700 ft. This bridge is rated for 55-tons, which is the heaviest free bridge on the Delaware River.

The original bridge at this site was a privately owner covered wooden toll bridge. It was built between 1840 and 1842, and the design was based on the Burr Arch. The bridge replaced a series of ferries the operated in the area. A flood on October 10, 1903 carried away the span closest to the NJ side. The span was replaced using timer from the Riegelsville Bridge, which was washed away in the same flood.

In 1929, the wooden bridge was purchased jointly by the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the toll was removed. Due to the wooden bridges limited capacity, and bridge tender was regularly appointed to protect the structure from overweight vehicles. Due to the capacity and deterioration on the bridge, it was determined that the bridge should be replaced by a steel structure.

The wooden bridge was closed to traffic on June 5, 1933, and the new bridge was opened to traffic on January 13, 1934. Additional construction activities, such as paining, were carried out later that year. The new bridge utilized the original piers and abutments, although they have since been recapped with reinforced concrete. The galvanized plate sidewalks were added the bridge in 1996. The bridge had some additional rehabilitation in 2011.