Editor’s note: Alfred R. Pagan, P.E.,this month shares photos of some interesting infrastructure that caught his civil engineer’s eye.

Motorists may question the need for the posted 3-ton weight limit and 5-mph speed limit on this short bridge (above). But a look underneath (below) provides the good reason!

(Above) This is a rather complicated outlet structure from a detention basin in Central New Jersey. Much of the inflow to the basin emanates from the 36-inch reinforced concrete pipe on the right. The T-shaped section meters the outflow from the basin and maintains the flow at or below the pre-construction rate for the design frequency used (probably the 100-year storm).

(Above) Not all floods occur on the great rivers of America. This one occurred in 2007 on the Saddle River in Bergen County, N.J., The drainage area at this spot is about 50 square miles. The "little" rivers of New Jersey are very susceptible to flooding.

(Above) A water main suspended on the upstream side of a highway bridge in Saddle River, N.J., creates partial blockage during high water.

(Above) I previously worked as a hydraulic engineer at this Bergen County, N.J., office. I couldn’t solve this flooding problem in the parking lot, so we put up a warning sign.

Alfred R. Pagan, P.E., is a consulting engineer in Hackensack, N.J. He can be reached at 201-441-9719; or e-mail him at pagan@cenews.com.