Union Hill Road Bridge Slated To Be Replaced, DOT Says

MANALAPAN, NJ - A state improvement project is slated to address the poor structural conditions of the Union Hill Road Bridge over Route 9, a two-lane bridge deemed “structurally deficient” and “functionally obsolete” according to officials.

An upcoming reconstruction project aims to address the structure’s inadequate deck geometry and vertical under clearance and lack of ADA-compliant sidewalks.

From June 15 to 21, the New Jersey Department of Transportation will be hosting a Virtual Public Information Center to provide additional information relating to the project.

“The project was initiated due to the overall poor condition of the bridge deck and substructure,” reads a news release from the New Jersey Department of Transportation. “The bridge is structurally deficient due to the poor condition and functionally obsolete due to inadequate deck geometry and vertical under clearance. Additionally, existing sidewalks are not ADA-compliant.”

Initial plans for the improvement project include the following:

• The replacement of the bridge with a two-span continuous structure.
• The new bridge will accommodate 11-foot through lanes and 5-foot shoulders in each direction, 12-foot westbound left turn lane, and a 6-foot sidewalk on the south side.
• The Union Hill Road bridge vertical under clearance over Route 9 will be improved to 16’-6” to meet design standards. Union Hill Road will be raised and the existing substandard stopping sight distances will be eliminated.
• Proposed bridge abutments to be set back to accommodate future needs to widen Route 9.
• Due to the raising of the Union Hill Road and Ramp E / Clayton Road profiles, four temporary site mitigation (access) easements and two permanent slope easements will be needed.

Public utilities will be relocated as part of the project. The concept development stage is expected to continue through fall 2021.

According to a news release, the bridge replacement will be performed using a detour of the westbound traffic. One eastbound traffic lane and a pedestrian sidewalk will be maintained during construction. Westbound traffic will be directed to use a detour consisting of Union Hill Road, Tennent Road (CR 3), Newman Springs Road (CR 520) and Route 9.

Residents can learn more about the effort at UnionHillOver9Bridge.com. Property owners and renters in the area will be able to review a presentation, exhibits, submit questions and leave feedback via the virtual information center website.