Bloomfield's Berkeley Avenue Bridge: Repair Plans Still Underway

Bloomfield, NJ – Plans are still underway to perform much-needed repairs of the Berkeley Avenue Bridge in Bloomfield.

On Friday, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. wrote on his Facebook page that the county has plans to announce the replacement of the bridge, which has been the subject of repair discussions for years.

The bridge – built in 1922 – is now “structurally deficient and functionally obsolete,” according to a New Jersey Department of Transportation FY 2015 Capital Program document.

“The existing horizontal and vertical sight distance for motorists is substandard,” the DOT document states. “[Essex County] is proposing to replace the existing bridge with a new, two-span bridge with slight horizontal alignment improvements.”

A Bloomfield Township handout available online states the planned scope of improvements:

• A new two-span steel curved girder structure with reinforced concrete deck, spread footing and drilled shaft piers, 108 feet in length and 46 feet wide.
• The bridge will incorporate aesthetic treatments on the parapet and exposed abutment and wall surfaces, and other measures in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement and in consultation with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office.
• Modification of the bridge’s vertical and horizontal alignment to improve vertical and horizontal sight distances.
• Reconstruction of the approach roadway with new asphalt roadway, concrete curbs and sidewalk, driveway aprons, and storm drains.
• Reconstruction and lowering of an existing multipurpose trail below the bridge, including the installation of new storm drains and surface treatments.
• Other miscellaneous improvements are property access ramps, ornamental rails, fencing, traffic signs and striping and meeting ADA compliance.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

According to Bloomfield Township documents, the following environmental commitments are required as part of this project:

• Mapping of the Historic Morris Canal in Essex County and historic interpretive signage
• Recordation and salvaging of the existing bridge, as well as archaeological monitoring and other design considerations.
• Securing of required NJDEP permits based on resource impacts.
• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans and certifications.
• Consultation with the NJDEP Green Acres Program and Township of Bloomfield for impacts to Wright Field Park and compliance with stipulations.
• Environmental testing of historic fill areas associated with the Morris Canal and roadway embankments.

Photo of the proposed project study area via bloomfieldtwpnj.com