Princeton Hightstown Road Bridge

Princeton Hightstown Road bridge, early-mid 1960s, facing southwest.

The Princeton Hightstown Road bridge over the Northeast Corridor train tracks has long been a staple of West Windsor that most people don't pay much attention to, even when they're driving on it. However, its creation story - of a dangerous situation being remedied by people coming together for the common good - is an interesting one.

Historical Overview

Until the early 1900s, Washington Road didn’t terminate west of the Northeast Corridor train tracks. Instead, it crossed them at grade in a straight line, ending at Princeton Hightstown Rd slightly east of Cranbury Road (passing just next to where the Wallace Rd power station is today).[1] However, such crossings proved perilous, so around 1903, a steel/wood county-owned bridge was constructed over the tracks[2] - see nearby image from 1938.[3]

Although the bridge originally accommodated foot and horse traffic, locals noticed a growing danger with the rise of automobiles. The overpass’ dramatic curves, narrow lanes, and blind spots posed significant dangers to drivers, sparking a movement to replace this menace.[4]

Ground-level view of the original bridge, 1938.

The state began investigating solutions as part of a larger, and popular, plan to develop “Route 31A” – which would ultimately help connect towns along Route 31 (now Route 206) to the Jersey Shore, partially via Princeton Hightstown Road.[5] However, funding and progress stalled.[6] Public outcry ensued, and politicians soon made Rt 31A and the bridge central parts of their campaigns.[7] But change failed to manifest, despite advocacy by local governments, prominent individuals, and bills sent to the NJ legislature.[8] It was not until late 1937 that a group of sufficiently influential organizations united to turn the tide.[9]

Spearheaded by the Lions Clubs of Princeton and Hightstown, this “Joint Bridge Committee” included Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) representatives, state, county, and municipal officials, and numerous local organizations, including the American Legion Post 76 and the Dutch Neck/Penns Neck School PTAs.[10] By March of 1938, enough pressure had manifested to convince the federal government to allocate funds for the project,[11] and by June, the state took control of the bridge from Mercer County.[12] The following February, plans prepared by the PRR were approved, featuring a significantly longer, more gradual course and curves.[13] In March, a construction contract was granted to Thomas Gallo of Newark, whose $164,000[14] bid came well under a $200,000 Public Works Administration grant.[15]

The Princeton Hightstown Road bridge, ca. 1937.

On April 4, 1939, nearly 200 people attended the bridge’s groundbreaking.[16] This was the only section of Route 31A ever built. Government and PRR officials participated alongside locals, and the junior drum and bugle corps of the American Legion Post 76 supplied music.[17] The new bridge/highway was officially opened on December 1, 1939 when a red ribbon was cut by former Princeton Mayor Joseph S. Hoff (a yearslong advocate for the bridge) and Hightstown Mayor Drew Silver.[18] bY 1954, Route 31A – and thus the bridge - was renamed “Route 64.”[19] At just 0.32 miles, it is one of the shortest state highways in New Jersey and remains a memorial to a vigorous effort to improve the safety of countless commuters.

Princeton Hightstown Road railroad bridge, 2021. From Paul Ligeti.

Go to Princeton Junction Homepage

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Bibliography

1. "West Windsor Township.” Map. 1875 Historical Atlas of Mercer County, New Jersey - Map of West Windsor. Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Stuart, 1875. https://www. loc.gov/item/2010587333/.
2. "Who Should Care For The Bridge?" Trenton Sunday Advertiser. June 14, 1906.
3. "Dangerous Junction Bridge Will Be Replaced By New Structure If Right-of-Way Is Obtained." Newspaper Unknown (located in Historical Society of West Windsor's archives at the West Windsor History Museum). 1938.
4. "The Shore Road." Princeton Herald. September 15, 1933.
5. "Borough Begins Vigorous Attempt To Obtain Improvement of Shore Road." Princeton Herald. September 8, 1933.
6. "State Highway Funds Not Available for Reconstruction of Junction Bridge." The Local Express. October 14, 1937.
7. ​"Dickenson Plans New Princeton Jct. Bridge." The Local Express. October 7, 1937.
8. "The Junction Bridge." Princeton Herald. August 10, 1934.
9. "New Plans Are Discussed For Bridge Near Junction." Princeton Herald. December 17, 1937.
10. Ibid.
11. "Bridge Plans Up To Federal Bureau." The Local Express. October 13, 1938.
12. "Sterner Approves Bridge Construction." The Local Express. April 21, 1938.
13. "Junction Bridge Start Assured." The Local Express. February 23, 1939.
14. "Junction Overpass Will Cost $164,000." Princeton Herald. March 17, 1939.
15. "Bridge to Span Railroad Tracks at Junction for State Highway." Princeton Herald. February 28, 1939.
16. "New Bridge Job Will Be Speeded." Princeton Packet. 1939.
17. Ibid.
18. "Lions Clubs Open Junction Bridge." Princeton Packet. December 7, 1939.
19. "'No Good Days.'" Trenton Evening Times. December 9, 1954.