Millions Approved for These 3 South Jersey Bridge Projects

The Sherrill Administration on Thursday announced 33 Local Bridges Fund grants totaling $44 million to help New Jersey counties maintain local bridges in a state of good repair.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) established the Local Bridges Fund in 2009 to provide a direct funding formula for bridges not part of the state highway system.

Many New Jersey Bridges are 50-90 years old, and ongoing maintenance is required to maintain structural integrity for daily traffic demands. Every year, all 21 NJ Counties receive $1 million for bridge improvements, and an additional $23 million is allocated for specific bridge repair projects around the state.

Each of the 21 New Jersey counties receives $1 million and additional funding based on a formula that takes into account the total bridge deck area in the county and the amount of deck area in poor condition in the county.

Three Local South Jersey Bridges Will Receive Funding for Replacement

Atlantic County:

Since the Local Bridges Fund grants began, 637 NJ bridges have been improved by repairing, reconstructing, or replacing.

The Atlantic County bridge recieving money designated for replacement is the Egg Harbor-Green Bank Road (CR 563) Bungalow Park Bridge.

Atlantic County will get $2,231,946 in state funding to replace the bridge.

The road is near the Egg Harbor City Lake Park and is considered a vital infrastructure in Egg Harbor, crossing the Egg Harbor River.

Cape May County:

The Cape May bridge getting funding for repairs is the Middle Township/Stone Harbor Bridge over the Great Channel, which needs structure bascule replacement, along with various improvements for Cape May County Route 657.

Cape May County will receive $2,836,312.00 for the bascule replacement.

The bascule is the counterweight to balance the bridge span of the drawbridge of the Stone Harbor Bridge, also known as the Ocean Drive or the 96th Street Bridge

Cumberland County:

Cumberland County will receive $1,256,901 for the replacement of the Beals Mill Road (CR 733) over the Cohansey River Bridge on the border of Hopewell Township and Upper Deerfield Township.

Originally a single-span bridge, it has been significantly altered over the years by the addition of timber-piling piers, making it a three-span bridge. The bridge has been in poor condition for years.

This week's funding announcement does not specify when the actual work on these bridges will take place.

Here's a list of the county work grants for all 21 of New Jersey's counties.