Bridge Replacement Starting Soon In Morris Co. Suburb

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gaston Road in Morris Township will be closed to through traffic for three months beginning Monday as the County of Morris undertakes a bridge replacement project. The Gaston Bridge, which spans a tributary to the Whippany River, is located just north of Jonathan Smith Road, approximately midway along Gaston Road.

The closure will effectively divide Gaston Road, requiring residents to adjust their travel routes. Those living south of the bridge will need to access their neighborhoods via Washington Valley Road, while residents north of the bridge will use Sussex Turnpike. A marked detour route will be available for motorists traveling from the south end of Gaston Road to Sussex Turnpike. This route will redirect traffic to Washington Valley Road, Schoolhouse Lane, and Mount Pleasant Road, which connects to Sussex Turnpike about a mile west of Gaston Road's northern end.

The existing bridge, a concrete slab span with stone masonry abutments and wingwalls, is approximately five feet in length. Officials stated that the structure is old and has undergone multiple repairs. The masonry is deteriorating, making a complete replacement the most practical and cost-effective approach.

The new structure will be a four-sided, precast design featuring stone-faced walls and a picket-style railing. The construction is scheduled to commence on March 2, 2026, and is expected to take three months to complete. The project, valued at $641,487, is being led by CMS Construction, Inc. of Plainfield, N.J.