The Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure began a project on March 11 to replace two bridge structures that carry Hopewell-Rocky Hill Road (County Route 518) over a branch of Bedens Brook in Hopewell Township.
The structures are adjacent to one another and are located between Elm Street and Aunt Molly Road, immediately east of the Hopewell Borough line.
“Construction began Monday (March 11). The road was closed after the morning rush hour,” Mercer County spokesman Michael Boonin said.
The project is expected to be completed in five months, weather permitting. During construction, the bridge will be closed to all traffic on a 24/7 basis.
A detour will be posted directing motorists to use Princeton Avenue/Carter Road, Cherry Valley Road and Great Road.
A separate truck detour will also be posted directing truckers to use Carter Road and Route 206. Local traffic will be permitted up to the physical road closure point.
Both structures when completed will support a 38-foot-wide cartway and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side. The proposed cross section will consist of two 12-foot travel lanes, two 7-foot shoulders and steel four-bar bridge railings installed along both sides.
The contract for the project was awarded, to Midlantic Construction LLC of Barnegat on Jan. 24, which submitted a bid of $2 million.