Lettiere announces crucial preparatory work

for $33 million bridge safety project in Trenton 

“While it’s critical that we repair three aging bridges across the Northeast Corridor rail line here in Trenton, we recognize the problems inherent in a proposed detour route for residents,” said Lettiere. “Working together with State and local leaders, we’ve come up with a solution.”

The preparatory construction work includes rehabilitation of several local streets in and around the three bridges scheduled for replacement on East State Street, Chestnut Avenue and Monmouth Street.

Lettiere said NJDOT will provide the funding to repave the original detour route and extend the repaving to include a series of residential streets adjacent to the bridges. A total of $1.3 million will be spent to repave Lincoln Avenue, Monmouth Street, Chestnut Avenue, Chambers Street, East State Street and Greenwood Avenue. New traffic patterns on these streets will also be installed to accommodate the street closures necessitated by the bridge replacement projects.

“Rehabilitating these streets will benefit Trenton beyond the duration of this bridge replacement project,” Lettiere said. “Trenton’s aging infrastructure is not unique. We have bridges like these all across the state that are in need of repair. And we are going to fix them all one bridge at time, one street at a time.”

The bridge replacement projects are expected to begin in fall 2006 and will completely replace all three structures and improve road safety in the area. Traffic flow will be greatly improved by new signals at the intersection of East State Street and Monmouth Street.

The Commissioner was joined by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora and Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, for the announcement.

"I am very pleased that we are able to use our resources to improve the

infrastructure of our older and urban municipalities," said Assemblywoman Watson Coleman. "As we look to curb suburban sprawl, supporting our older municipalities through these types of improvements versus new development is a win-win situation for everyone".

Funding for the road rehabilitation will be provided through the State’s 1999 Bridge Bond Fund.

"It is important Trenton receives its fair share of transportation dollars from the Bridge Bond Act," said Assemblyman Gusciora. "I am pleased the State recognizes this important transportation project that will lessen the burdens on our commuters in the capital city".

The City of Trenton will proceed with repairs already slated for Lincoln Avenue next month.

"This repaving project is a welcome next step, building on the $258,000

Lincoln Avenue reconstruction effort we have slated to begin in mid May," said Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. “Repaving the key streets surrounding the three Amtrak bridges will meet the high traffic demands during the bridges' reconstruction. We're delighted with DOT's proactive support across the entire planned detour route."