By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
Local opponents of Mercer County’s plan to replace the Jacob’s Creek bridge with a much larger span in a different alignment are feeling fortified by Preservation New Jersey’s putting the bridge on its “10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey” list.
Preservation New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that works to protect what its members believe are historic sites in the state.
”Preservation New Jersey urges Mercer County to reconsider the proposed realignment of Bear Tavern Road and replacement of Bear Tavern Road bridge,” Preservation New Jersey says on its website. “This complex rural landscape is endangered” by the county’s plan “to realign the intersection of Bear Tavern Road (with Jacobs Creek Road) and construct a new, significantly larger modern bridge downstream from the location of the current Bear Tavern Road bridge. The project would significantly undermine the landscape’s historic integrity.”
Closed more than a year ago due to safety concerns, the Jacobs Creek bridge was built in the late 19th century. It had a 3-ton weight limit when it was closed. It crosses the creek on county Route 579, or Bear Tavern Road, just north of Jacobs Creek Road.
The county recently has authorized spending more than $700,000 on design and engineering work on a bridge with no weight limit and a road re-alignment.
Opponents of that plan say it would unacceptably impact what has become known locally as the Victory Trail. George Washington and the Continental Army followed that trail, which included a difficult of fording Jacobs Creek with heavy cannon, on their way to the Battle of Trenton, a turning point of the Revolutionary War.
Hopewell Township resident Kim Robinson, a leading opponent of the county plan, said Preservation New Jersey’s putting the bridge on its Top 10 list gives a big boost to those against the county plan.
”Given the county’s march forward with its destructive plan, this could not have come at a better time,” Ms. Robinson said. “Not only will this recognition vastly increase public awareness and incredulity of that plan, it may well open up the funding avenues necessary to save this nationally storical site.”

