BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer
SAYREVILLE — An historic borough drawbridge will receive rehabilitation courtesy of NJ TRANSIT this spring.
The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a $4.7 million construction contract April 12 to restore the 94-year-old Morgan Drawbridge located over the Cheesequake Creek.
The moveable bridge, which was constructed in 1912, carries 74 passenger trains every weekday, according to NJ Transit.
The contract was awarded to Kiska Construction Inc., of Long Island City, N.Y. Repairs will include rehabilitation of the opening and closing mechanism for the bridge, as well as other structural and mechanical improvements.
The contract is part of an effort by NJ Transit to maintain the state’s passenger rail infrastructure, according to Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chairman Kris Kolluri.
“We have a responsibility to our residents to keep New Jersey’s infrastructure in a state-of-good-repair,” Kolluri said. “Projects such as the Moran Drawbridge rehabilitation reflect our firm commitment to making the necessary investments to keep New Jersey moving.”
NJ Transit Executive Director George D. Warrington said the project will improve service reliability for North Jersey Coast Line customers by ensuring safe and dependable operation of the drawbridge.
“We want to ensure that the drawbridge continues to operate reliably for another 94 years,” Warrington said.
Transit officials said they will conduct the work during off-peak and weekend hours whenever possible to avoid impacting the commutes of customers.
Construction will start this spring. Completion of the work is anticipated for summer 2007.