93-Year-Old Rusted Bridge To Be Replaced In Mercer County

MERCER COUNTY, NJ— A rusted, 93-year-old bridge in Mercer County is all set to be replaced.

The County has received a grant of $47 million to replace the Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Trenton. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bridge Investment Program (BIP).

The Lincoln Avenue Bridge needed replacement as it reached the end of its lifespan. Spanning 687 feet, the bridge is the longest county-owned bridge in Mercer, and at 93 years, is also one of the oldest.

The bridge crosses both the Assunpink Creek and Amtrak’s busy Northeast Corridor Rail Line, connecting neighborhoods and serving as a primary conduit for students on their way to and from Trenton Central High School.

At the beginning of this year, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, encouraging the Department to approve Mercer County’s application for this grant.

Sen Cory Booker strongly advocated for the grant, providing letters of support for three consecutive years, including in January of this year. The grant was finally approved.

County Executive Dan Bension, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and Watson Coleman recently celebrated the grant at a media conference.

“This funding will improve the safety, reliability, and durability of the Lincoln Ave bridge, which thousands of Trentonians cross daily, whether to get to work, pick up their kids, run to the grocery store, attend school, or meet up with friends,” Watson Coleman said. “I’m incredibly grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, Secretary Buttigieg, Mercer County, and the City of Trenton for their partnership.”

Mercer County began Concept Development on the Bridge Replacement Project in 2015, when it became clear that the current structure was reaching the end of its lifespan.

The Federal BIP grant will cover most of the project’s estimated $63 million cost, with the remainder coming from Mercer County and from funds provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

“I want to thank Senator Booker and Congresswoman Watson Coleman for partnering with us to procure the largest infrastructure grant in Mercer County history,” Benson said.

“For nearly a century, The Lincoln Avenue Bridge has tied together neighborhoods in our Capital City, and by replacing the aging structure we ensure that this corridor remains safe and accessible to Trenton residents for generations to come. We’re excited to kick off another major public works project for Mercer County, and we look forward to using local union labor to build under a Project Labor Agreement.”

The planning for the project is expected to be finished next year. The bridge will be replaced in phases so that one lane will remain open at all times.

“The DOT’s Bridge Investment Program funding is essential for advancing the Lincoln Avenue Bridge project,” Gusciora said. This funding will not only enhance accessibility and safety for our community, but will also ensure that our infrastructure is equipped to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. We are grateful for this investment in our Capital City.”

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