$4M Project To Replace ‘Deficient’ Bridge In West Caldwell Crosses Finish Line

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — A $4 million project to modernize the Bloomfield Avenue Bridge in West Caldwell has crossed the finish line.

Essex County officials announced the completion of the project last week.

The county released the following background information about the new bridge:

“The original structure was constructed in 1938 as a single span, reinforced concrete slab bridge. Recent inspections determined it was ‘structurally deficient,’ which indicated the need to replace the bridge. The new structure is a pre-cast, three-sided bridge. It was constructed in stages so that traffic continued to have access to Bloomfield Avenue and did not need to be detoured.”

French and Parrello Associates from Wall received a professional services contract for $399,408 to design bridge and perform inspection services. Ritacco Construction Inc. from Belleville was awarded a publicly bid contract for $3,686,000 to perform the construction.

The improvements were funded by a NJ Department of Transportation Local Bridge Fund Needs and Annual Transportation Program grant, county officials said.

West Caldwell mayor Joseph Tempesta, council president Stephen Wolsky and councilman Michael Crudele attended a ribbon cutting event at the new bridge alongside Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Essex County Commissioner Len Luciano.

“Bloomfield Avenue stretches from Newark in the east all the way to West Caldwell in the west and is one of the most heavily used and relied-upon roadways in our county,” DiVincenzo said.

“Making sure our infrastructure – which includes the Bloomfield Avenue Bridge – is up to date is essential in making sure our residents can get to school and work and go about their daily lives safely,” he added.

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