'Unsafe' Burlington Co. Bridge Could Reopen To Traffic Soon As Officials Hatch Plan

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Officials hope to craft a plan for partially reopening a bridge that Burlington County engineers shut down last week because of structural-safety concerns. The goal is to safely reopen the Main Street Bridge to car traffic as longterm repairs occur.

The Main Street Bridge crosses the north branch of the Pennsauken Creek at the Maple Shade-Moorestown border. Typically, more than 12,000 vehicles cross over the 122-year-old bridge daily on Route 537, which turns into West Camden Avenue on the Moorestown side.

• Read more: 'Unsafe Bridge' Closed, Heavy Traffic Anticipated In Burlington County

The Burlington County Engineer's Office ordered the bridge's closure Thursday. But county officials said Monday that they're developing a mitigation plan in hopes to reopen the span for vehicles.

"Our office is working with consulting engineers and the contractor to reinforce the structure so that motor-vehicle traffic can safely be restored while a long-term fix is undertaken," said Burlington County Engineer Joseph Brickley.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1900 and widened in 1930. The structural issue involves the original span, county officials said. The damage to the bridge pilings is below the water line and was discovered when the creek was lowered so a contractor could perform other repairs.

Officials posted detours routing traffic around the span via Route 73, Route 41 and Lenola Road. Nearby businesses remain open and accessible.

"We’re asking commuters who normally travel Route 537 to avoid the area if possible to make it easier for those who live and work locally to travel," Brickley said. "Businesses on both sides of the bridge are also accessible and we’re doing everything possible to lessen the closure’s impacts and get the bridge reopened very soon."