Bill
Bill > A2376
NJ A2376
NJ A2376Requires DOT to publish information concerning vertical clearances of certain bridges overpassing certain waterways.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop and maintain an online database, which details the vertical clearances of bridges in the State that carry a highway or roadway across any navigable waterway. Under the bill, when a municipality or county is responsible for inspecting any bridge under a bridge inspection program implemented by the DOT, the municipality or county would be required to submit a written report to the DOT detailing the vertical clearance of the bridge. Specifically, the bill requires the municipality or county, as applicable, to submit the written report to the DOT within 14 calendar days after an inspection report has been completed, in accordance with any applicable requirements of the bridge inspection program, for the bridge. The bill also requires the DOT to determine the vertical clearance of every bridge for which the DOT retains responsibility to inspect. Using this information, the bill requires the DOT to develop and publish, on its official Internet website, a database detailing the vertical clearances of every bridge in the State, as such information is reported to, or determined by, the DOT. At a minimum, the bill requires the DOT to update this database no later than 14 calendar days after the receipt of every written report submitted by a municipality or county under the bill. Specifically, the bill defines "vertical clearance" to mean the distance between the lowest point of a bridge and the mean high water level of the underlying navigable waterway.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and maintain an online database of vertical clearances for bridges that cross navigable waterways, which are defined as waterways deep and wide enough for watercraft, even if upstream of obstructions like culverts, as long as they are tidally influenced. "Vertical clearance" is specifically defined as the distance from the lowest point of a bridge to the mean high water level of the waterway below. If a municipality or county is responsible for inspecting a bridge under the DOT's bridge inspection program, they must submit a written report detailing its vertical clearance to the DOT within 14 days of completing an inspection. If the DOT itself is responsible for the inspection, it will determine the vertical clearance. The DOT must then publish this information in a public database on its website within 60 days of the bill's enactment and update it within 14 days of receiving reports from municipalities or counties. The DOT will also establish the format for these reports and designate which entity is responsible for reporting if multiple municipalities or counties share oversight of a bridge.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2376 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2376_I1.HTM |
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