|
|
Monday, September 12, 2005
Liberty Street Bridge Scheduled for Demolition
|
Hammonton's Liberty Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning Wednesday, September 14 to allow for demolition of the 41-year old, wooden bridge that crosses Cedar Branch. The bridge will be replaced with a concrete structure that will reduce maintenance costs and increase its life expectancy.
An inspection of the bridge, conducted in October 2003, revealed significant deterioration of the piling and piling caps on its northwest side that caused the bridge to settle approximately six inches. At that time the county issued an 11-ton weight limit and shifted traffic lanes to the bridge's southeast side. School buses servicing the nearby Hammonton Middle School voluntarily began using an alternate route.
To help expedite the full replacement of the bridge county officials have funded the project with county money as opposed to funding it through the New Jersey State Bridge Bond. The project is expected to cost nearly $1.25 million.
"Because the county chose to fund the project instead of seeking federal or state funding, the replacement of the bridge will be completed in approximately two years from the time the problem was first identified," stated County Executive Dennis Levinson. "Similar bridge replacements normally take three to five years."
The Atlantic County Board of Freeholders awarded the contract on June 28, 2005. A pre-construction meeting was held the following week and a formal request was made in mid-July for utility relocations.
County Engineer Joseph D'Abundo noted that unlike roadway improvement projects that can often be completed within a few months, bridge replacements are much more labor intensive.
"Prior to actual construction, the contractor must provide shop drawings and material requests for approval. In addition, many bridge components are special order items, not available for immediate delivery," said D'Abundo.
He explained that this was the case for this project. The size of the timber piles that were specified were not readily available and had to be harvested and processed prior to shipping. The composite sheeting was also specifically made to order.
Levinson added that the county did not want to demolish the bridge until the fabrication of materials was well underway to help avoid further "down time."
The bridge will now remain closed to all traffic until the project is completed. Motorists are advised to follow the posted detours.
For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
