NJDOT to reconstruct Route 27 bridge over
Middlesex Greenway in Metuchen
(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced a project to replace the Route 27 bridge over the Middlesex Greenway, which runs along an abandoned Conrail freight railroad line, in Metuchen Borough, Middlesex County.
On Friday night October 26, NJDOT’s contractor, Ritacco Construction, Inc., is scheduled to set up the initial construction zone on the southbound side of the bridge. To accommodate that work NJDOT will shift traffic onto the northbound side, maintaining one travel lane in each direction on Route 27. NJDOT will replace the bridge in stages so that at least one travel lane on Route 27 in both directions will remain open to traffic at all times.
Access along the Greenway, underneath the bridge, will be restricted during construction. Local pedestrian detours will be in place.
The $3.8 million federally-funded project will replace the existing, structurally deficient bridge with a new, slightly wider pre-cast concrete structure complete with new sidewalks. The new structure will provide 14-feet of clearance over the abandoned railroad. The existing bridge was built in 1924 and has deteriorated over time requiring replacement. Route 27 will be repaved on either side of the bridge as well.
A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Route 27, directly south of the bridge, and additional minor modifications will be made to the Amboy Avenue intersection to the north of the bridge. An approximately six-month long closure and detour for Route 27 southbound access to Lake Avenue is planned for later in the construction schedule. NJDOT will provide notification in advance of that closure.
Approximately 34,000 vehicles use this bridge every day to cross the Middlesex Greenway located at milepost 21.6, just north of Memorial Park. Dynamic message signs are being utilized to notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes. NJDOT anticipates the project being completed by the end of 2014.
“The replacement of this structurally-deficient Route 27 bridge is an investment in safety that exemplifies NJDOT’s commitment to improving the state's aging highway bridges,” said Commissioner James S. Simpson. “The new structure will provide safer driving conditions for residents and commuters in Metuchen.”
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.
| 
