2-Year Project To Replace Phalanx Road Bridge Starts Monday

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Starting Monday, Oct. 6, Monmouth County will begin replacement of the Rt. 54 (Phalanx Road) bridge that runs over the Swimming River Reservoir.

The bridge replacement will last for the next two years, the county said on Friday. However, Phalanx Road will remain open throughout construction. The bridge will be reduced to one lane for the next two years.

However, in late summer/early fall of 2026, the bridge will be closed for approximately 90 days and there will be a posted detour. The detour route will use County Route 520 (Newman Springs Road), County Route 50 (Swimming River Road), County Route 537 (Colts Neck Road) and Laird Road.

Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone said Friday:

“For the replacement of the bridge, construction is expected to begin on or about October 6 and continue for two years. But Phalanx Road will remain open throughout construction and a temporary traffic pattern will utilize one lane of traffic."

"We appreciate the public’s patience as we work on this important infrastructure project."

In June, Monmouth County started replacing the bridge that carries Swimming River Road (Rt. 50) over the Swimming River. That is the bridge on Swimming River Road facing the dam, in the Lincroft section of Middletown, approaching Tinton Falls.

That bridge replacement will also take two years, and Swimming River Road is also supposed to remain open throughout construction.

From June: Construction Starts Monday To Replace Swimming River Road Bridge