By: Jake Uitti
MONTGOMERY Work began Monday to improve the westerly approach to the new Washington Well bridge on Route 518, as well as to the roadway in that area.
John Kendzulak, a Somerset county engineer, explained, "The existing traffic is going over the old bridge and the traffic needs to be moved to the new bridge," which was recently constructed by Kyle Conti Construction.
In order to ensure progress on the road improvements, Mr. Kendzulak said, one lane will be closed on Route 518 and traffic will be alternated. This process will continue for about two weeks.
In the middle of next week, Mr. Kendzulak said, traffic will begin to be funneled onto the new bridge, which spans Bedens Brook.
Once the traffic is transferred to the new bridge, the roadway improvements will continue, Mr. Kendzulak said, and traffic will be alternated periodically with the project expected to be completed by late May.
"If you can plan an alternate route, do it," he said. "The only other alternative to the alternating lane was to create an 11-mile detour."
In a related development, a public hearing to inform residents, officials and the business community of Somerset County’s proposed plan to improve Route 518 will be held 7 p.m. April 24 at the Otto Kaufman Community Center on Skillman Road. The proposed improvements would take place from 1,000 feet west of Van Zandt Road to Cherry Hill Road, officials said.
The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to view preliminary plans and exhibits for the proposed project and make comments. Plans will be on display beginning at 6:30 p.m. and a formal presentation will begin at 7.
Comments prior to the meeting can be directed to Patricia Bates Smith, Somerset County Engineering Division, at (908) 231-7024.

