Emergency Repairs To Broadway Bridge Scheduled for Sept. 5

Emergency repairs to the Broadway Bridge, spanning Cook's Creek, here, are slated to begin Sept. 5.

In addition, the span's traffic pattern will change at the end of the day on Sept. 4 at which time one of the two westbound lanes of the bridge will be closed to traffic. The two eastbound lanes will not be affected by the closure. The three-ton weight limit also remains in effect during the work. 

The emergency repairs consist of shoring up some of the bridge's 56 wood pilings. A bi-annual state inspection of the bridge showed that six of the pilings needed emergency repair due to deterioration and several others required repair within three months.

"We responded to the state's report immediately, first, by lowering the weight limit on the span and also securing a contractor that could do the work," said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department. "We have been closely working with borough officials to keep them informed of our progress."

Starting Sept. 5, Walker Diving, the contractor hired by Ocean County will begin repairs to the pilings.

"We believe it's prudent to do all the repair work at the same time," said Ocean Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little, who is liaison to the Ocean County Bridge Department. "Ocean County maintains more than 250 bridges and culverts. It's imperative each structures are regularly inspected and repaired when necessary."

A fiberglass sleeve will be installed around each damaged piling, which will then be filled with steel reinforcement and concrete to restore the integrity of the piling. The work will be completed in about three or four weeks.

Vehicle traffic that meets the three-ton weight limit can continue to use the bridge during the repair project. In addition, a truck route using Baltimore Avenue to Arnold Avenue to Ocean Avenue has been established.