Matawan Creek Bridge to Close Monday

Matawan, NJ - The Matawan Creek bridge, which connects Aberdeen to Keyport, will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic starting Monday, May 16 for a $23 million renovation project.

The project will last through November 2017, with final completion expected by the end of March 2018. The bridge will likely open at the end of November 2017, when the bulk of the work is done, however.

The existing bridge, on Amboy Avenue/West Front Street, will be replaced by a new structure. Built in 1916 and last renovated in 1981, it needs to be replaced, said county Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone, who is liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering.

Once replaced, fire trucks would be able to safely travel over the new bridge.

The project involves the replacement of the existing four-span steel girder bridge on a similar alignment to the existing and with a similar structure type. The existing bridge and approaches are within the 100-year flood area and subject to impacts from high tides and storm surge flooding. The roadway profile will be raised to provide 12 feet of clearance.

The new bridge will be approximately 350 feet long and will consist of:

• Reinforced concrete abutments and piers supported by drilled shaft foundations.

• Roadway supported on Column Supported Embankment System.

• Painted steel girders.

• Reinforced concrete deck slabs and sidewalks.

• Bridge traffic and pedestrian barriers consisting of open steel railing systems.

• Decorative pedestrian lighting provided on both sides of the bridge.

• Reconstruction of the approach roadways: asphalt surfaced roadways, retaining walls, sidewalks and upgraded safety features.

George Harms Construction Company in Howell is the contractor for the $23.5 million project. The Federal Highway Administration is contributing $22.276 million (95 percent) towards the project. It took several years for Monmouth County to obtain the federal funding for the project.