NJDOT reopens Route 1 northbound

bridge in North Brunswick

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Acting Commissioner James S. Simpson announced that the Route 1 northbound bridge over an abandoned Conrail line in North Brunswick was reopened to traffic shortly before 3 p.m. today.

NJDOT expedited permanent repairs to a bridge pier to minimize impact to motorists, completing design and construction in about 48 hours. The bridge was closed to traffic as a safety precaution on Tuesday evening, January 19.

“NJDOT staff and contractors worked around the clock to return this vital bridge to service,” Simpson said. “We know it was a terrible inconvenience for motorists, and we apologize for that, but safety is always our foremost concern.”

Completion of the stabilization work allowed NJDOT to restore capacity to three through-lanes of traffic, including two lanes over the span and one utilizing a parallel access road. That pattern is mirrored on the southbound span and accommodates an ongoing construction project to replace both the northbound and southbound bridges.

The northbound span carries about 4,500 vehicles per hour during peak periods.

The bridge pier was reinforced with stabilizing supports that will remain in place until the bridge and its twin that carries southbound traffic are replaced later this year.

NJDOT will continue to monitor the bridges throughout the ongoing $24.1 million project to replace them. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

The stabilization supports have required NJDOT to temporarily close a local road that crosses under the bridge. As a result, motorist using access roads parallel to Route 1 will not be able to make left turns to cross under the highway. NJDOT expects to reopen the underpass this summer when work on the new bridges has advanced sufficiently to do so.

NJDOT used variable message signs on Route 1, the NJ Turnpike, I-195, Route 27 and other local roadways to inform motorists of the closure. Real time travel and construction information is always available by calling 511 and at www.511nj.org