Community Corner

Long Branch Branchport Avenue Bridge Repair Project Delayed

Work was originally expected to be complete by Memorial Day weekend.

A project that to repair the Branchport Avenue bridge which connects Long Branch and Oceanport has been delayed.

Crews discovered that more work is needed to rehabilitate the bridge's deck; construction that will not allow project to be completed before Memorial Day weekend as originally scheduled. The project began in April.

“Despite the preconstruction testing and evaluation of the bridge, once the bridge’s upper deck layer was removed it was evident that additional work was required to repair the bridge deck before the new surface can be applied,” Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone said in a release.

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“It is unfortunate that this bridge will not be open in time for the unofficial start of summer,” Arnone continued. “It is important that the work is completed correctly to ensure the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians. The bridge will open as soon as is prudent and possible.”

A latex modified concrete surface is expected to be applied on Wednesday, weather permitting.

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Monmouth County Department of Public Information and Tourism Director Laura Kirpatrick said surface needs to cure for at least a week before strength testing can take place.

Kirpatrick said once the testing is complete, which should take a few days, the bridge should reopen. The county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering is overseeing the project, but does not want to commit to a specific completion date for the bridge's reopening.

In the area of the bridge, the roadway is closed to vehicular traffic, but open to pedestrian traffic.

“The replacement of the bridge’s deck work will extend the usable life of this bridge,” Arnone said in a release.

The scope of this project includes repairs to the existing bridge deck including performing miscellaneous deck, sidewalk and curb spall repairs and the construction of a latex modified concrete overlay on existing bridge deck.


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