NJDOT replaces Route 56 Maurice River Bridge
in Pittsgrove
Highway to be reopened tomorrow states Kolluri

(Trenton) - Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will reopen the Route 56 Maurice River Bridge in Pittsgrove, Salem County and Vineland, Cumberland County, to traffic on Wednesday, December 19.

“Route 56 is a vital east-west corridor in Salem and Cumberland Counties,” Commissioner Kolluri trumpeted. “Replacing the bridge with a new permanent structure was among NJDOT’s top priorities, and I am proud to say we have accomplished the task well ahead of schedule.”

NJDOT began the bridge replacement project in July and will complete it approximately six months ahead of schedule. NJDOT originally planned to open the new bridge by June 2008.

The new $5 million bridge is a single-span structure constructed along the same alignment as the old bridge. However, the new bridge is three feet higher and wide enough to accommodate 12-foot through lanes and acceleration/deceleration lanes and 10-foot shoulders.

In addition, NJDOT will eliminate the Maurice River Parkway connection to Route 56 in order to improve safety. This will include the removal of Maurice River Parkway from Route 56 to its intersection with Riverside Drive. NJDOT has also created a wetland mitigation site, a retention basin to treat storm water and new Green Acres property in exchange for the property taken in order to the widening of Route 56. Construction of this part of the project is scheduled to be completed in spring 2008.