NJDOT to reconstruct the Route 202 bridge
over the Passaic River
(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the reconstruction of the Route 202 bridge over the Passaic River which connects Bernards Township in Somerset County and Harding Township in Morris County.
The $3 million federally-funded project will demolish and replace the existing, structurally deficient bridge. NJDOT will also install new guide rail and resurface the bridge approaches between N. Maple Avenue/Childs Drive (CR 613) and Shale Brook Drive. The existing bridge was built in 1924 and is located within an environmentally protected area.
NJDOT’s contractor, Joseph Sanzari, Inc., is scheduled to begin preliminary construction activities this week, including sign installation, survey work and utility relocation. Route 202 carries one travel lane in each direction over the bridge with a three-foot wide shoulder. NJDOT will construct the project in stages using single lane closures during off peak hours with alternating traffic and a planned full closure of the bridge in both directions for one week.
During certain critical demolition operations, the contractor will also need to close the bridge in both directions overnight for a limited number of nights. NJDOT will maintain all travel lanes on the bridge daily between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The new bridge deck will be manufactured off site and installed by the contractor over a one week period, tentatively planned for late-summer. The use of pre-cast concrete bridge components will enable NJDOT to significantly shorten the construction schedule and minimize the overall impacts to traffic and the local business community. NJDOT will provide notification to the public in advance of the planned week-long Route 202 closure. The planned detour routes are:
• Route 202 northbound motorists will be detoured via N. Maple Avenue to Lee’s Hill Road to Glen Alpine Road to Route 202.
• Route 202 southbound motorists will be detoured via Glen Alpine Road to Lee’s Hill Road to N. Maple Avenue to Route 202.
Approximately 10,000 vehicles use this bridge every day to cross the Passaic River. NJDOT has coordinated with local officials from both towns and counties throughout the design process. The project is expected to be complete in fall 2012.
Variable message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.
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