John A. Lynch, Sr. Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The John A. Lynch, Sr. Memorial Bridge is a bridge on Route 18
in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
spanning the Raritan River
. The bridge connects Piscataway Township
on the north with New Brunswick
on the south.
, and by 1970, the bridge piers were in place. However, environmental concerns stalled the construction of the Route 18 freeway for almost a decade, and the piers stood unfinished until 1983 when the freeway and bridge were finally completed as far as River Road in Piscataway.
The bridge was originally known as the Raritan River Bridge, but was renamed in honor of John A. Lynch, Sr.
, the former State Senator
from the district that included New Brunswick and Piscataway, a former mayor of New Brunswick, and the father and namesake of John A. Lynch, Jr.
, who held those positions at the time of the bridge's completion.
Route 18 (New Jersey)
Route 18 is a long state highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It begins at an intersection with Route 138 in Wall Township and ends when the road disseminates into Hoes Lane in Piscataway. Much of the route is a limited-access freeway, including the entire portion in Monmouth County and the...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
spanning the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
. The bridge connects Piscataway Township
Piscataway Township, New Jersey
The township consists of the following historic villages and areas: New Market, known as Quibbletown in the 18th Century, Randolphville, Fieldville and North Stelton...
on the north with New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
on the south.
History
Construction on the bridge had begun back in the late 1960s with the announcement of Route 18's upgrade to a freeway between New Brunswick and MiddlesexMiddlesex, New Jersey
Middlesex is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 13,635.Middlesex was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1913, from portions of Piscataway Township, based on the results...
, and by 1970, the bridge piers were in place. However, environmental concerns stalled the construction of the Route 18 freeway for almost a decade, and the piers stood unfinished until 1983 when the freeway and bridge were finally completed as far as River Road in Piscataway.
The bridge was originally known as the Raritan River Bridge, but was renamed in honor of John A. Lynch, Sr.
John A. Lynch, Sr.
John A. Lynch, Sr. was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey Senate for 22 years, where he represented the 17th legislative District, and as Mayor of New Brunswick, New Jersey from 1951 to 1955.-Biography:Lynch was born in New Brunswick in 1908 to John T. Lynch and...
, the former State Senator
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
from the district that included New Brunswick and Piscataway, a former mayor of New Brunswick, and the father and namesake of John A. Lynch, Jr.
John A. Lynch, Jr.
John A. Lynch, Jr. is a former American Democratic Party politician from New Jersey, who served in the New Jersey Senate representing the 19th District from 1981 to 2001, where he represented the 17th Legislative District, and was Senate President from 1990 to 1992...
, who held those positions at the time of the bridge's completion.
External links
- Route 18 page at nycroads.com, with pictures and information on the John Lynch Bridge
- Route 18/Elmer Boyd Memorial Parkway page at njfreeways.com, with pictures of the John Lynch Bridge