Officials Eye Replacement Of 200-Year-Old Morristown Bridge

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A busy, but deteriorating, bridge over the Whippany River in Morristown will likely be replaced, said officials as they continue planning the construction project.

The Martin Luther King Avenue Bridge was rated in overall poor condition and a study recommended replacing the current structure, Morris County officials said. It provides an important connection to residents and commuters in town, serving as a route across the river.

Officials said the stone arch bridge was originally built in 1822, and was widened to the north in 1883, and to the south in 1928.

The project is in the local preliminary engineering phase, which is expected to be completed in the fall — and still would have to go through about a two-year design process before the actual work would begin.

Officials are looking to address structural and operational deficiencies of the 66-foot-long bridge, and make it more safe for vehicles and pedestrians. Preliminary plans would maintain a temporary pedestrian path across the bridge, while detouring vehicle traffic via Spring Street, Bishop Nazery Way, and Coal Avenue.

Residents, organizations, businesses, and historical societies are encouraged to attend an online public information center meeting on Wednesday, April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn more and share their feedback. The meeting and project implementation are in cooperation with state and federal officials.

Town and county officials passed resolutions of support for the bridge replacement in December of 2019.

For more information, visit mlkbridge.com. The public may send in written comments about the bridge replacement project through Friday, May 17 online, via email (mlkbridgeproject@gmail.com), or by mail to:

Danielle Malavarca, P.E.

Senior Engineer-Bridges / County Project Manager

County of Morris Department of Public Works

Division of Engineering and Transportation

P.O. Box 900

Morristown, NJ 07962-0900