Structurally Deficient Waretown Bridge To Be Replaced: DOT Says

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ - The replacement of the structurally deficient, 95-year-old Route 9 bridge over Watertown Creek here is slated to begin soon.

The work on the aging bridge will be done in phases, to minimize traffic disruption. The $3.1 million federally-funded project will replace the bridge between Bryan Road and Birdsall Street, according to a state Department of Transportation release.

The bridge was built in 1925 and is roughly 75 feet long. An average of 19,175 vehicles travel over it daily.

The northbound lane on the east side of the bridge will be reconstructed first, and then the southbound lane on the west side. Traffic will first be shifted to the east so the southbound shoulder can be reinforced to carry traffic later in the project. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained through the summer.

The east side of the bridge will be closed in the fall and reconstructed. Northbound traffic will be detoured and southbound traffic shifted to the reinforced southbound shoulder. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of the year, when two-way traffic will be restored onto the newly constructed side of the bridge.

Construction on the west side of the bridge is expected to begin in the spring of 2019 and completed by summer 2019. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Route 9 during this stage of construction.

NJDOT’s contractor, Earle Asphalt, was slated to shift northbound and southbound traffic on Feb. 12 to the east, using the existing northbound shoulder between Memorial Drive and Wells Mills Road/Bryant Road (CR 532).

Two-way traffic will be maintained during this stage while the southbound shoulder is strengthened. This stage is expected to be completed in the spring, at which time traffic will be shifted onto the newly rebuilt shoulder and a work zone will be established on the east side of Route 9 to relocate utilities.

NJDOT will provide updates on any traffic shifts or detours as work progresses.
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 websitewww.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOTinfo.

Photo: Patch file photo