By KATHY CHANG
OLD BRIDGE – The replacement of a structurally deficient bridge deck on Matawan Road (Route 516) over Route 18 is expected to start in February.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a $2.5 million construction contract to Halmar International, LLC, Nanuet, N.Y., in November.
The proposed scope of work includes replacement of the bridge deck, replacement of the impact-damaged edge beam of the bridge over Route 18 north and various minor repairs.
The construction start date is Feb. 1, with estimated completion by Sept. 16, according to the DOT.
Traffic will be detoured during two stages of the construction.
The detour, which stretches approximately 1.7 miles, takes Route 516 west traffic and reroutes it to the ramp from Route 516 west to Route 18 north.
Traffic will follow Route 18 north for 0.6 miles to the reverse jughandle at the intersection with Hillsdale Road to make a U-turn. The detour route then proceeds on Route 18 south to the exit ramp for Route 516/Route 527 (Old Bridge-Englishtown Road) where it ends on the west side of the bridge.
The detour route includes one signalized intersection at Hillsdale Road and is expected to be in place for about six months.
To accommodate emergency medical vehicles traveling west on Route 516, temporary portable traffic signals will be put into place.
The DOT held a public meeting about the project on Jan. 14 in the Old Bridge Township Council chambers.
For more information, contact Ray Tomczak, regional manager of the Office of Community and Constituent Relations at DOT, at raymond.tomczak@dot.nj.gov.
