Improvements planned for historic Harlingen bridge

By: Jake Uitti
   MONTGOMERY — Planning is under way to replace the historic Harlingen Road bridge, located near the township’s original municipal building, as well as conduct other road improvements in the area to aid drainage, with the work beginning in the summer.
   The Somerset County Engineering Department will handle the job, Township Engineer Gail Smith said.
   "It’s definitely in need of repair and replacement," Ms. Smith said. The county takes care of all the major bridgework in the township, she added.
   Township Administrator Donato Nieman said, "The county will try to restore the bridge and replace it with something in keeping with the historical nature of that area."
   Other work will be conducted on the roads around the bridge to fix drainage problems, which, if not resolved, could further erode the road surface, Mr. Nieman explained.
   Kristine Mineo, a member of the township’s Landmarks Commission, explained that the bridge was built in 1890, and is one of only two remaining bridges built by the New Jersey Steel and Iron Co.
   "Both the bridge and the Harlingen historic district are eligible for National Register of Historic Places," Ms. Mineo said.