$800K For Study To Replace Laurel Ave. Bridge In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — Monmouth County just received $800,000 in federal funding for a study of the Laurel Avenue bridge in Holmdel, where the North Jersey railroad tracks cross over Laurel Avenue. The low-hanging bridge has been the site of many truck collisions over the years. (There are honestly too many to count at this point.)

Writes the state of the grant money:

Laurel Avenue (County Route 52) serves residents of Holmdel and Middletown as a major connection between the Garden State Parkway and Rt. 35.

There is a pinch point at the grade-separated intersection of South Laurel Avenue and the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line between Commons Way and Continental Boulevard in the study area. There are also vertical clearance issues with the railroad bridge.

Whatever is done to Laurel Avenue, the public is supposed to be involved in the discussion, according to the county.

"The study will assess various alternatives in an effort to identify a preliminary preferred alternative through coordination with various stakeholders and the public."

“This NJ Transit bridge on Laurel Avenue has a low vertical clearance (12’-5”) and routinely gets hit by trucks traveling along County Route 52 (Laurel Avenue). Subsequently, the bridge is in a substandard condition,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone. “The purpose of this study is to develop and assess various alternatives for this grade-separated railroad crossing and we will be working closely with NJ Transit and NJDOT for potential improvements.”

Monmouth County was also given $31 million in federal funding for the replacement of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge. The entire bridge will be replaced; that work will begin at the end of 2020.