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Union County Bridges Slated For Upgrades

bridge projects Union County NJUnion County, NJ – In Union County, hundreds of bridges and culverts help keep the traffic flowing over railways, waterways, and other obstacles – 470 bridges and culverts, to be exact. Keeping them in good repair is an ongoing task, and this year a new group of projects to improve five bridges is getting under way.

“Union County is one of the most important transportation hubs on the eastern seaboard, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “With this upcoming group of projects, we aim to ensure that our bridges and culverts are compliant with modern standards.”

Many of the bridges and culverts in Union County were designed and constructed generations ago, when vehicular traffic was lighter and safety standards were not fully developed. The County prioritizes upgrades in consultation with state and federal transportation agencies.

At its regular meeting on February 19, the Freeholder Board approved the award of contracts for design, construction administration, and inspection services for the replacement of the following five bridges:

  • Netherwood Avenue and Wells Road (Plainfield/North Plainfield, over Green Brook), construction expected to begin in spring 2017.
  • East Hazelwood Avenue and Main Street (Rahway, over the Rahway River), construction expected in summer 2016.
  • Mountain Avenue and Sherbrook Drive (Berkeley Heights, over a stream), construction expected in summer 2016.
  • Martine Avenue and Mary Ellen Lane (Scotch Plains, over a stream), construction expected in summer 2016.
  • Central Avenue and Clover Street (Westfield, over a stream), construction expected in summer 2016.

This year, work will also start on a total of six previously approved bridge and culvert projects in Summit, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Springfield, and Rahway. Road resurfacing this year is scheduled for County roads in Elizabeth, Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Fanwood, Kenilworth, Rahway, Roselle, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit and Westfield.

At the February 19 meeting the Freeholder Board also approved resolutions that formally close out contracts for three recently completed projects. One for was replacement of the deck on the Summer Street Bridge in Elizabeth. The other two were for replacement of two culverts, one at Valley Road and Glenside in Berkeley Heights, and the other at First Avenue and Locust in Roselle.

In addition, the Board approved three intersection improvements in Summit that will begin work this spring. That brings the total number slated for this year to 11. The other eight intersections are in Hillside, Union, Westfield, Garwood, Elizabeth and Roselle Park.

Mass transit services are also getting a boost from the Freeholder Board, which authorized an agreement between the County, New Jersey Transit, and the Township of Springfield to install two new bus shelters. The new shelters will complement a third new shelter to be installed by Springfield on the northbound side of Mountain Avenue, near Morris Avenue.

To keep up to date on any major changes in traffic patterns resulting from bridge replacement or other roadwork, visit the Union County Road Construction Update page at ucnj.org/traffic.

To report a pothole or any other issue with a County road, use an online form available through the Union County Department of Public Works and Facilities Management at ucnj.org, or call 908-789-3660.

For all mass transit information, visit Union County ConneXions at ucnj.org/connect.

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