Bloomfield Ave Bridge Repairs In Montclair Will Go Until 2020

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Bloomfield Avenue Bridge in Montclair was constructed in 1911 and carries more than 27,000 vehicles every day. But despite its importance to the region, the bridge is in “poor condition” and needs major repairs, officials say.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will host a public forum to discuss the $11.7 million, state-funded construction project at the Montclair Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The project, which will impact traffic at the bridge, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020, the DOT previously stated.

• See related article: Montclair Bridge In 'Poor Condition,' $11M Repair Project Begins

Attendees at the Oct. 16 forum will have an opportunity to review exhibits of the project, ask questions, and discuss any concerns with NJDOT staff members. Learn more here.

THE PROJECT

According to the DOT, the bridge is in poor condition and needs deck/superstructure replacement and substructure repairs.

The project will include demolition of the existing deck/superstructure and replacement with a new prefabricated concrete stringer/deck superstructure. The replacement of the superstructure will be completed in two main stages following Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques.

The existing abutment and retaining walls along Bloomfield Avenue exhibit spalling and are cracked in a few locations. Work to repair the abutment and walls will be completed in a stage prior to ABC stages described above, DOT officials stated.

During construction, Bloomfield Avenue will remain open to traffic at all times, however, the number of lanes available to the motoring public will be reduced during the various construction stages, officials said.

• Stage 1 A – “During this stage, the contractor will prepare the westbound sidewalk area off of the bridge to carry traffic during a future stage and will address the spalls and cracks in the abutments and retaining walls. During Stage 1A westbound direction of travel will be reduced from 2-lanes to a single lane. 2-lanes will be maintained in the eastbound direction.”
• Stage 1 B – “During this stage the contractor will replace the eastbound half of the bridge superstructure. During Stage 1 B, traffic will be diverted onto the westbound side of the bridge and traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions.”
• Stage 2 – “During this stage the contractor will replace the westbound half of the bridge superstructure. During Stage 2, traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound side of the bridge and traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions.”
• Stage 3 – “During this stage the contractor will restore the westbound sidewalk. During Stage 3, traffic will again be restricted to a single lane in the westbound direction, however, 2-lanes will be maintained in the eastbound direction.”

Variable message signs will be placed in the area to notify motorists of the upcoming roadway lane reductions and changes in traffic patterns. NJDOT provides construction updates at www.nj511.info, officials said.

Construction began earlier this month. The schedule for work includes:

• “Stage 1 A will be completed this year with traffic restored to 2- lanes in each direction before the contractor shuts down for the winter months.”
• “Stage 1 B will begin in March/April 2019, and combined with Stage 2, which will begin immediately following the completion of the westbound replacement, will take approximately 9 months. During this 9-month period, the existing car wash located on the eastbound side of Bloomfield Avenue will be temporarily closed.”

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File Photo: Eric Kiefer