HOWELL – Havens Bridge Road between Adelphia-Farmingdale Road (Route 524) and Casino Drive will remain closed to through traffic until a new bridge is constructed and opened in mid-October.
“Due to the extent of deterioration and the significant damage to the bridge, complete reconstruction is necessary,” Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone said in an Aug. 26 press release. “The county has contracted with Harms Construction Co. Inc. of Howell to rebuild the bridge.”
The contract completion date is Oct. 16, weather permitting, according to the press release.
Havens Bridge Road is open to local traffic only up to the point of the closure. All other motorists should follow the posted detours. All traffic should expect travel delays throughout the entire project.
“We know this closure is extremely inconvenient for local motorists,” Arnone said. “Work to the bridge foundation is wrapping up and we expect the delivery of the deck beams (by the end of August).”
The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering closed the original bridge in early April due to deteriorated and failed pilings on the structure. One of the bridge’s three piers failed and caused a partial collapse of the bridge deck system, according to the press release.
Following the bridge closure, representatives of the county met with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to obtain an emergency permit to replace the structure. The permit was received on May 19. The county awarded an emergency contract for reconstruction at the Board of Freeholders’ June 11 meeting.