NJDOT holds groundbreaking
ceremony for the new
Route 1 & 9 Viaduct over the Elizabeth River
(Elizabeth) - NJDOT Commissioner Jack
Lettiere officially kicked off construction of the new Route 1
& 9 Viaduct over the Elizabeth River in Elizabeth today.
The $72 million project will replace the existing, structurally
deficient Elizabeth River Viaduct and will include various intersection
improvements.
Attending the groundbreaking were Senator
Ray Lesniak, Assemblyman Neil Cohen, Assemblyman Joe Cryan and
Mayor Chris Bollwage. (See
Graphics -pdf 489kb)
"In rebuilding
this viaduct, New Jersey will realize significant improvements
in safety and congestion relief," said Governor James E. McGreevey.
"This project will create hundreds of new jobs and is a
prime example of why New Jersey's economic engine is outpacing
the rest of the nation."
"This project
is a great example of Governor McGreevey's Safety First and Fix-it-First
policies," said Commissioner Lettiere. "We are not only
replacing the viaduct, we are also adding safety features to the
intersection of Route 1 & 9 and East Jersey Avenue, rated
as one of the top 10 highest accident sites in New Jersey, and
Route 1 &9 from Hetfield Avenue to East Grand Street."
Reconstruction
of the Route 1/9 Elizabeth River Viaduct represents a major Fix-it-First
milestone for New Jersey. With this groundbreaking, the
NJDOT is fixing another of its high cost bridges. These
high-cost bridges are critical to the viability of New Jersey's
transportation infrastructure, totaling nearly $2 billion in needs.
"Route
1&9 in Elizabeth serves as one of this region's most critical
arteries. The corridor serves transportation in all its
forms - air, rail, sea and highway," said U.S. Senator Frank
Lautenberg. "That is why I and the rest of the NJ delegation
continue to fight in Washington for Federal funds to repair or
replace each deficient crossing along this corridor!"
"Today's
groundbreaking promises the construction of a wider and safer
bridge over the Elizabeth River for Union County drivers. I am
proud to have helped secure the funds that made this day possible
and look forward to the completion of this important road project,"
said U.S. Senator Jon Corzine.''
The bridge,
built in 1929 as part of the Route 1 extension, currently carries
two northbound and southbound lanes without shoulders.
At that time, the Route 1 Extension was considered a pioneer 'super
highway' that extended from the Bayway Circle to the Holland Tunnel.
The new structure will carry three lanes in each direction
with shoulders in order to align with the existing highway sections.
"This project
is a great example of smart growth in the city of Elizabeth and
throughout the State of New Jersey. It's proof that we
can improve the quality of life and make our cities safer while
helping our communities grow stronger," said Senator Ray Lesniak.
Final design
for the bridge began in September 2002 by Tams-Earth Tech. Inc
of Bloomfield. The construction was awarded in June 2004
to George Harms Construction Company Inc. from Farmingdale.
Anticipated completion date is set for November of 2007.
The project won the Federal Highway Administration's 2004 Excellence
in Right of Way award for "Streamlining and Integration."
"Not only
is this project great for Elizabeth, it also serves as an example
for the Governor's pledge to improve congestion relief for our
motorists and safety for our pedestrians," said Assemblyman Neil
Cohen.
The NJDOT
partnered with the City of Elizabeth, the Chamber of Commerce
and the State Historic Preservation Office. As a result,
the project will include aesthetic features such as decorative
pylons, brick pavers, landscaping and commemorative plaques, which
memorialize the existing historic structure.
