Work to Start Again Soon at West Park Blvd. Bridge

Motorists itching to use West Park Boulevard again have to wait longer—but it’s not clear exactly how long.

between Cuthbert Boulevard and Chestnut Avenue to repair the bridge at West Walnut Avenue.

The road was slated to remain closed until December, but faulty concrete halted progress, and put the project on hold until the spring.

Work is scheduled to resume in early May, said Camden County spokesman Ron Tomasello.

“Construction was delayed while the contractor presented a number of bridge reinforcement options to the design engineer,” he said.

“This week, it was determined that the safest and most practical method to reinforce the structure will be to install concrete slabs above the arch on each side of the bridge.”

The county plans to review the design this week and, once approved, officials will determine when construction will begin and how long it will take. Weather conditions will factor into the decision, Tomasello added.

The weather also played a part in the project’s delay. A key PSE&G gas line runs under the bridge and must be shut off during work. That couldn’t be done during winter heating season.

“This effort to not impact those living in the surrounding neighborhood had a significant bearing on the project timeline,” Tomasello said.

The $273,388 price tag for the bridge, paid by Camden County, wasn't affected by the delays, Tomasello said. The contractor will pay for all construction, construction management, inspection and redesign.

Built in 1923, the West Park Boulevard bridge was in need of repairs and updates. When finished, the project will provide new concrete curbing and handicap ramps, new inlet and manhole castings, roadway striping and markings, and full resurfacing of the roadway approaching the bridge, Tomasello said.

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