HOWELL – Repairs to a bridge on Ramtown-Greenville Road in Howell that was damaged in a severe summer rain storm are expected to be completed by the end of January.
Jim Herrman, Howell’s director of community development, updated the project during the Dec. 11 meeting of the Township Council.
“We received notice from Monmouth County that there have been some problems with dewatering due to all the rain we had. They are looking at middle to late January to have the bridge reopened. I know they are working very diligently, but it looks like it is still going to be after Christmas before the bridge is opened,” Herrman said.
On Aug. 13, emergency services personnel responded to more than 50 incidents during a six-hour period as a severe rain storm flooded and damaged areas of Howell. Officials said 7 inches of rain fell in a two-hour period.
The Ramtown section of Howell was particularly hard hit. A bridge on Ramtown-Greenville Road collapsed between Arnold Boulevard and Moses Milch Drive.
During a Sept. 4 council meeting, residents whose homes and property had been impacted by the storm asked officials for additional and continued assistance.
Council members passed a resolution waiving local construction permit fees for residents who have to make repairs to their homes. They said state officials indicated that certain permit fees would be waived.
On Oct. 9, Township Manager Brian Geoghegan announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would not offer any assistance in the wake of the Aug. 13 storm.
On Oct. 25, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders awarded an emergency $1.574 million contract to Lucas Construction Group to perform repairs to the bridge, designated as HL-59, on Ramtown-Greenville Road over Muddy Ford Brook in Howell.
The bridge has remained closed since Aug. 13 due to road undermining and the need for necessary repairs. The proposed improvements entail demolition and removal of the existing road, restoration of the stream bed, stabilization of the north abutment, various timber repairs and other work, according to a resolution passed by the freeholders.
The freeholders said “the immediate repair of bridge HL-59 and the reopening of Ramtown-Greenville Road is vital to the public health, safety and welfare.” The freeholders said the road closure impacts emergency responders, and ingress and egress for residents and businesses.
