This week’s heavy rains and wind gusts have delayed the start of structural work on two bridges that pass over the Cooper River. The Freeholder Board’s Department of Public Works anticipates beginning construction on both the Grove St. and Cuthbert Blvd. bridges on July 26. To facilitate the construction, detours will be in place. The exact timing and completion of both projects may be altered by weather and other factors.
“Improving our roadway and bridge infrastructure while increasing highway safety is one of the best investments we can make in our county,” said Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “Based on structural conditions of both spans it was imperative we get this begin this work as soon as possible. Furthermore, for this construction to be effective cars cannot travel over the portion of the bridge being worked on, which will facilitate at least one shutdown on the northbound lane of Grove St. going towards Route 70 from Haddonfield to Cherry Hill.”
Due to the locations of the repairs, varying traffic control measures will be implemented at the two bridges. At Grove St., traffic will not be permitted to travel northbound, from Haddonfield Borough toward Route 70, over the bridge for the duration of the project. A detour will be implemented at Kings Hwy. and will take traffic around the work zone on Park Blvd. Southbound traffic, from Route 70 toward Haddonfield, will remain open for the duration of the project and will not be impeded by construction activities. Pedestrian access will be maintained over both spans during the construction process.
During peak travel times, local police departments will manually control traffic signals for the one-way detour at the intersections of Kings Hwy. and Park Blvd. and Park Blvd. and Grove St. to mitigate delays.
Regarding the superstructure work over the Cuthbert Blvd. Bridge in Haddon Township, crews will maintain a single lane of traffic in both directions. The contractor will close the left lane in both directions on the bridge during construction, however the right lane, in both directions, will remain open for the duration of the project.
“Motorists need to be aware of the construction taking place and plan their daily commutes accordingly. I am more than confident that these infrastructure projects will cause some congestion in the immediate area,” Shin Angulo said. “Whenever you are driving through a road construction zone, please stay prepared for traffic pattern changes and be observant of posted instructions or directions.”
The $1 million projects funded by the state Department of Transportation Local Bridge Future Needs fund will include strengthening of the weakened beams by the addition of steel angles, steel plate, and steel channels to the webs and flanges of the affected beams as specified by the engineer. The work shall include traffic control and maintenance, cleaning and painting of steel, and the installation of reinforced concrete diaphragms.
“As this project progresses the Department of Public Works will keep the public apprised of all lane closures and detour changes,” Shin Angulo continued. “The contractor has said they expect to finish the work prior to the start of the school year and we are going to do everything we can to maintain that timeline. Nevertheless, projects like this can be unpredictable when waterways and weather are factored in.”
Joe Ragusa, overseeing the construction management of both operations, can answer any questions the public may have about the projects. He can be reached at (609) 828-3222 or by e-mail at joseph.ragusa@rve.com.
The Camden County Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining 1,400 lane miles of county roadway and 61major bridges. To report concerns on Camden County roadways, call (856) 566-2980 or visit www.camdencounty.com.
