Metuchen High School Entrance Will Be One-Way Starting Monday, NJDOT Says

METUCHEN, NJ — Metuchen High School's main entrance will be one-way beginning Monday, as the Grove Avenue Bridge replacement project continues, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The Grove Avenue Bridge over the Port Reading Railroad remains closed in both directions as the project advances in Middlesex County, the NJDOT said in a traffic advisory Friday.

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Starting Monday, the high school's main entrance, located across from Norris Avenue, will be one-way to enter the school, with all traffic exiting via Mason Drive.

A temporary pedestrian bridge built on the east side of Grove Avenue remains open, allowing students to cross from the south side of Grove Avenue during construction.

Grove Avenue was closed and detoured in both directions in June so crews could demolish and reconstruct the bridge. Severe weather and other unforeseen challenges slowed progress on the reconstruction this summer, the NJDOT said. The bridge is now expected to reopen to vehicular traffic in October.

The following detours remain in place:

• Grove Avenue northbound: Motorists will be directed to turn left onto Middlesex Avenue/Route 27, right onto Central Avenue, which becomes Plainfield Avenue/CR 661, then right onto Oak Tree Road back to Grove Avenue.

• Grove Avenue southbound: Motorists will be directed to turn right onto Oak Tree Road, left onto Plainfield Avenue/CR 661, which becomes Central Avenue, then left onto Middlesex Avenue/Route 27 back to Grove Avenue.

The $10.0 million federally funded project will replace the existing timber bridge, which was built in 1900 and is in poor condition, according to the NJDOT. The project is being constructed in stages using Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques and is being coordinated with the town to minimize impact on the community and the high school, which sits next to the bridge.

The new bridge will have a reinforced concrete deck and will maintain the same configuration, including a 12-foot southbound lane, an 11-foot northbound lane, 7-foot shoulders and a sidewalk on the northbound side. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

The timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists can check 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.

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