Route 173 Bridge Work and Related Impacts
 
Dear Residents -
 
As you are undoubtedly aware, the long-delayed Route 173 bridge deck project has begun; it is anticipated that this project will run into July, 2010.
 
The NJDOT presented traffic management and detour plans prior to the start of work.   It is clear that these plans are not adequate and there has been an excess of traffic through the Borough.
 
While some degree of inconvenience/increased traffic is inevitable and unavoidable with this project, it is clear that the first few days presented an unacceptable scenario.
 
I have had many residents contact me in the past week.  I apologize that I have not been able to personally respond to each complaint - there have been that many.
 
To be clear, Brunswick and Bethlehem Avenues have been absolutely pounded by the detour.  These two streets are bearing the brunt of the traffic detour.    
 
Since work began Friday 3/5/10 I have been in constant communication with the NJSP, NJDOT and contractors.  While there is no magic bullet, the squeaky wheel does get the grease.  The initial traffic detour plan has accordingly been revised, but clearly more tweaking is needed.
 
This project will be an inconvenience for its duration.  There is no way around that.  That said, please advise me of any illegality or violation with this project, so we can deal with the same. 
 
In sum, this project is an inconvenience, but it is necessary, and only with your feedback can we try to adjust traffic patterns and similar scenarios.
 

 

The closure of the bridge is being rescheduled from the morning of 3/04/2010 to the morning of 3/05/2010.
 
Work:  Bridge Deck Replacement
Location:  Route 173 / EB & WB / vicinity of MP 3.4
Municipality/County:  Greenwich / Warren County
Bloomsbury / Hunterdon County
 
Impacts:  Route 173 will be closed at the bridge (between Maple Drive and Warren Glen Road), local access will be maintained
.

Detour – Route 173 EB will be detoured to CR 637 (South Main Street) to I-78 EB to Route 173. 

Route 173 WB traffic will follow the same detour in reverse.

 

Currently, the bridge is expected to remain closed for 125 calendar days.

 

Start Date:   Thursday morning, March 5, 2010 at 9:00 AM (was 3/04/2010) Weather Permitting
 

If there is inclement weather on 3/05/2010, the closure will occur on the morning of 3/06 (weather permitting)