Reconstructed Wiltshire Park Pedestrian Bridge Reopens In East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, NJ – Local leaders recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the newly reconstructed replacement for the Pedestrian Bridge, linking Wiltshire Park to Hickory Corner Road.

In attendance was Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members, joined by Mercer County Executive Dan Benson and 14th District legislators.

The project was funded by a $1.3 state grant for park and recreation improvements, obtained by Mironov and Council Members with the support of 14th District legislators – former Assemblyman/County Executive Dan Benson, Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy.

The prior pedestrian bridge had to be closed for safety concerns and was no longer usable.

The Township retained Van Cleef Engineers to design and engineer a safe, compatible-appearing, cost-effective new structure, whose specifications were bid and awarded to the low bidder T.R. Wenger of Piscataway, NJ.

In mid-August, the contractor mobilized and demolished the past structure, excavated, poured the abutments, prepared the approaching sidewalks, added the chain link fencing and finalized installation of the newly assembled bridge structure on September 5.

“We are extremely excited to complete and reopen this popular pedestrian bridge, which provides a convenient walkable connection between Hickory Corner Road and Wiltshire Park/Wiltshire Road, serving the area neighborhoods. In fact, while we were cutting the ribbon, we had a group of about fifteen 7th graders waiting to cross the pedestrian bridge, underscoring its value to all of our residents and school children,” Mironov said in a statement.

“The opening of the new bridge now also extends our walkable trails as Wiltshire Park also connects by Township pathways across Dutch Neck Road to Anker Park and further on to the library on Hickory Corner Road.”

The $1.3 million state grant funds also have underwritten several other Township-wide park and recreation projects, including the new play equipment and surface at Anker Park; the new play equipment and rubber surface at Woods Road Community Park; the repair and replacement of the basketball court at Wiltshire Park; the repair and replacement of the tennis courts at Westfield Park; and the purchase and soon to be installed outdoor pavilion for the Senior Center.

“We are incredibly grateful to our state officials for their strong support in assisting the Township to secure the $1.3 million grant funds used to complete these popular park and recreation improvements,” Mironov said.

“The upgrades to our neighborhood’s much-used parks have generated much excitement and provided tremendous benefits to our community.”