NJDOT annnounces emergency replacement
of
Route 56 Rainbow Lake Bridge in Pittsgrove
Flooded-out bridge to reopen by the end of the year
(Trenton) - Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will expedite the replacement of the Route 56 Rainbow Lake Bridge in Pittsgrove, Salem County, which was destroyed by severe flooding on April 17. NJDOT plans to open the new bridge to traffic by December 31, 2007.
“NJDOT’s emergency replacement of the Route 56 Rainbow Lake Bridge will permanently repair this vital artery, prevent future flooding and minimize construction impacts on motorists and area residents,” said Commissioner Kolluri. “NJDOT will continue to work closely with Pittsgrove and Salem county officials, the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that this bridge opens to the public by the end of the year.”
“This area of roadway is a major route of transportation in South Jersey. I am pleased that repairs will be done quickly and done in a way that will prevent a crisis like this from happening in the future,” said State Senator Stephen M. Sweeney (D- Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester).
“Building a bridge can take many months, even years to complete,” said Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D- Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester). “We are grateful that this project will be expedited and that this roadway will be fully functional by the end of the year.”
“Local businesses and residents in the area depend heavily on this vital thoroughfare,” said Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher (D- Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester). “It’s vital to the economic well-being of both Cumberland and Salem Counties that this highway is repaired and opened as expeditiously as possible.”
NJDOT is scheduled to advertise the Route 56 Bridge replacement project to potential bidders on April 26, complete the final design of the new bridge on May 15 and award the contract on June 1. NJDOT plans to open the new bridge to traffic by December 31, 2007.
The new bridge will be a 110-foot long, five foot high, two-span structure. It will carry one lane of traffic in each direction and be designed to meet 100-year flood requirements. NJDOT also will build a new flood gate and spillway structure in order to mitigate flooding by releasing floodwater and guiding it downstream. The new bridge will cost approximately five million dollars and will be eligible for emergency federal funds.
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