Rt. 520 Bridge Work Begins Monday Night; Expect Delays

A Monmouth County roadwork project to replace the bridge decks on the twin County Route 520/Newman Springs Road bridges over the Swimming River begins Monday night, after the rush hour.

The segment is between the Garden State Parkway and Hance Avenue.

The county is warning motorists to expect delays and plan alternate routes for the next six months. 

One bridge will remain open to vehicular traffic throughout the project, but traffic through the work area will be restricted to a single lane in each direction. 

The speed limit will be dropped to 25 mph during the bridge project. Pedestrian access across the bridge and through the project site will not be allowed during the six-month construction time.

The existing concrete decks on both bridges will be completely removed and replaced by new concrete decks and bridge railings of the same dimensions as existing. Work will include complete replacement of the bridge approach slabs including the curb, sidewalk, and guide rail. 

The roadwork is part of the an ongoing project. So far, intersections along Newman Springs Road, in the area of the bridge project, have been upgraded.

The work from Phalanx Road to Holmdel-Keyport Road in Holmdel will continue over the next few weeks and includes upgrades to crosswalks to make the intersections and traffic signal operations more accessible to individuals with disabilities.

The New Jersey American Water Company work along Swimming River Road (County Route 50) between Newman Springs Road in Middletown and County Route 537 in Tinton Falls/Colts Neck will continue, but will not require any road closures. 

The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering is overseeing the projects.

Original Story, March 12: 

Drivers are being warned to expect delays through November for roadwork on the bridge over the Swimming River, between Lincroft and Red Bank/Tinton Falls.

Traffic will be reduced to one westbound and one eastbound lane in both directions, while crews under the direction of the Monmouth County Dept. of Engineering perform the work. This will be a 24-hour lane shift. 

There will be no access for pedestrians to cross the bridge.

On Monday, workers in orange vests were on the scene, making measurements.