The reconstruction of the Kent Road bridge over the North Branch of the Metedeconk River at the Lakewood / Howell border, which has closed Kent Road to vehicular traffic since November, is now anticipated to be completed this coming Friday, August 13th, Tom Arnone, the Monmouth County Commissioner Director told LNN.
The construction includes the demolition of the existing bridge and installation of a new single-span two land bridge with a sidewalk and approach roadway and drainage improvements.
Pedestrian traffic remains open. Only vehicular traffic is closed 24/7.
“As of right now, all the final materials are making its way to the bridge site. Guiderail should be installed this Monday. All curbing and sidewalk work, should be done by the middle of the week. As long as there are no further material delays and weather permitting, the roadway should be open by August 13. Any issues will push us to the early days of the following week”, Commissioner Director Arnone, who also serves as Liaison to the Monmouth County Public Works and Engineering Departments, told LNN.
“Please be reminded that although the bridge and road will be reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the very near future, contract punch list work may continue for several more weeks after the reopening”, Arnone added.
The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders awarded the $2,212,012.12 contract for replacement of the bridge, on July 15, 2020, to C.J. Hesse, Inc. of Highlands, NJ. This was the lowest bid received out of 7 bids received.
$1,184,052.61 of the total award is being funded by a NJDOT Transportation Trust Fund the county was awarded in 2018 for this project.
The county also awarded CME Associates of Parlin NJ a $169,058.00 contract to provide Professional Engineering Services for the inspection and contract administration of the bridge replacement project.
