I was scratching my head as to why I photographed the old but boring railroad bridge heading south from Assunpink Creek (other than the fact it was for a design project), and then I saw the light. Colored pavement, that is. The bridge is still paved in stone instead of asphalt, and that's something you don't see every year.


Views from the south side of the bridge. The narrow sidewalks, especially with the condition on the east side, make me think you're better off walking on the stones even if you're not as fascinated by them as I am. The old water tower in the distance also interested me, part of an old factory just north of Assunpink Creek now populated by every possible device that needs to transmit or receive a signal.


Okay, there's one benefit to walking the sidewalk: old porcelain signs posted on the fence.


Since I was there for a project, I figured I would take a chance and get under the bridge for a few photos, with plans in hand if someone stopped me. No one did, and I bring you this photo from the gravel road that follows the tracks east from Monmouth St. It swings north to get under Olden Ave. at a former spur track bridge that served the Pennsylvania Railroad Coalport freight yard.


Looking west from that point, this giant expanse of concrete was the south side of the yard's loading area. The north side is similar, better maintained and a little easier for the public to see (to a point - it's ultimately access to a correctional facility). If either of these photos inspired you to go check things out, it's at your own risk.


Closing out with a pair of SB photos at US 206/CR 583, perhaps the only place CR 583 gets full acknowledgement with a shield. 583 ends multiplexed with 206 at Calhoun St. where it used to run to the river, but it has been replaced from there on by CR 653, which makes no sense to me and ought not to you either.

Onto CR 583
Into Mercer County
Back to New Jersey Roads
Back to Roads