MIDDLETOWN — Replacement of the bridge decks on the twin County Route 520- Newman Springs Road bridges over the Swimming River between the Garden State Parkway and Hance Avenue was scheduled to begin this week.
Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to plan alternate routes for the next six months, according to a press release from the county.
One bridge will remain open to vehicular traffic throughout the project, but traffic through the work area will be restricted to a single lane in each direction. The initial shift of traffic lanes took place April 15 after the evening rush hour.
The posted speed limit is reduced to 25 mph during the bridge project. Pedestrian access across the bridge and through the project site will not be permitted during the six-month construction time.
The existing concrete decks on both bridges will be completely removed and replaced with new concrete decks and bridge railings of the same dimensions as those existing. Work will include complete replacement of the bridge approach slabs, including the curb, sidewalk and guide rail.
The county’s ongoing project to upgrade intersections along Newman Springs Road has been completed in the area of the bridge project. Specifically, the area between Hance Avenue at the Tinton Falls/Red Bank border to Phalanx Road in Middletown is complete. The work from Phalanx Road to Holmdel-Keyport Road in Holmdel will continue over the next few weeks and includes upgrades to crosswalks to make the intersections and traffic signal operations more accessible to individuals with disabilities, according to the press release.
The New Jersey American Water Co. work along Swimming River Road (County Route 50) between Newman Springs Road in Middletown and County Route 537 in Tinton Falls/Colts Neck will continue, but will not require any road closures. The county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering is overseeing the projects.