N.J. Admin. Code § 7:13-9.12

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:13-9.12 - General permit 12-construction of footbridges

(a) General permit 12 authorizes the construction of one or more footbridges across a regulated water, or across another feature such as a manmade canal or roadway that lies within the flood hazard area or riparian zone of a regulated water, provided the conditions at N.J.A.C. 7:13-6.7 are met and:

1. The footbridge is used exclusively to carry pedestrians, livestock, and/or light vehicles such as bicycles, golf carts, or lawn tractors;

2. Where the footbridge crosses a regulated water, it is designed and constructed to be as nearly perpendicular to the channel as possible;

3. Where the footbridge is designed solely for pedestrian use, the width of the footbridge is no more than six feet, unless it is demonstrated that a wider width is necessary in order to comply with all applicable State and Federal barrier-free access requirements. In no case shall the width of the footbridge exceed 10 feet;

4. Where the footbridge is designed as part of a multiple-use path for bicycles, skate boards, rollerblades, and other methods of transport:

i. The width of the footbridge is no more than 10 feet; and

ii. Bollards or similar devices are installed to prevent automobiles and other large vehicles from utilizing the footbridge;

5. Where the footbridge provides access to a critical building, its travel surface is constructed at least one foot above the flood hazard area design flood elevation, or as close to that elevation as feasible;

6. All footings and abutments proposed within 10 feet of the top of bank extend at least three feet below the channel invert;

7. All footings and abutments proposed more than 10 feet beyond the top of bank extend at least three feet below grade;

8. All stairs, ramps, or other structures necessary for access to the footbridge:

i. Remain open underneath to allow floodwaters to pass freely;

ii. Do not require the existing ground elevation to be raised in a flood hazard area; and

iii. Are oriented to minimize obstruction to flow, such as by being set into the bank, where possible;

9. The footbridge is designed to pass floodwaters by either:

i. Setting the low chord of the footbridge above the flood hazard area design flood elevation; or

ii. Using handrails instead of a parapet, with sufficiently large openings so as not to catch debris during a flood and thereby obstruct floodwaters, and setting the vertical distance between the low chord and the top of the footbridge deck, including any curbing, at no more than eight inches;

10. The timing restrictions set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:13-11.5(d) are observed; and

11. The width of any clearing, cutting, and/or removal of riparian zone vegetation associated with the construction of the footbridge does not exceed 20 feet.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:13-9.12

Adopted by 48 N.J.R. 1067(a), effective 6/20/2016