Laurel Ave. Roadwork Now Postponed to Thursday, Aug. 11

Holmdel, NJ - First, it was supposed to start Friday, Aug. 5. Then the highly-anticipated Laurel Avenue bridge repair project got pushed back to either Sunday, Aug. 7 or Monday, Aug. 8, NJ Transit said.

Now, work has been delayed yet a third time and will officially begin Thursday, Aug. 11.

Beginning Thursday, NJ Transit will be working on the North Jersey Coast railroad bridge on Laurel Ave. in Holmdel for the next two to three months. Laurel Ave will remain closed at that location for that entire 2-3 month period. This will affect traffic traveling through Middletown on Rt. 35 as well as Laurel Ave., Holland Road, Red Hill Road and Kings Highway.

Detour routes have been posted using either Kings Highway in Middletown or Bethany Road in Hazlet. NJ Transit must make repairs to the infamous Laurel Ave. railroad bridge — which on local resident called "severely deformed" — particularly, the damaged north girder of the bridge, which had become bent after being hit several times by trucks. The bridge must be supported on temporary bents that span the roadway in order to complete the work, forcing the entire roadway to close. If you have to travel in the area, expect heavier-than-normal traffic, detours and traffic delays. Please follow all posted signs, and familiarize with alternate routes.