Construction on Route 1 to start in spring
Abandoned bridge near DeVry to be replaced; local roads will be improved
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer
Construction work to replace the deteriorating bridge on Route 1 near DeVry University and SilverLine Windows in North Brunswick will begin within the next few months.

The N.J. Department of Transportation (DOT) held a public information workshop Dec. 18 at the township municipal building. Originally unveiled in December 2006, the formalized plans were presented on large poster boards with DOT representatives explaining the details of the project to the public.

The project focuses on about one mile of Route 1 between Ryders Lane and Milltown Road, entirely within the township of North Brunswick. The plans will be mobilized in January, and construction should begin in the spring.

The Route 1 bridge over the abandoned Sayreville railway was originally built in 1928 and was widened in 1969, but the superstructure and substructure need to be replaced, according to DOT spokeswoman Fran McCrory. At the time of its original construction, bridges had only a 50-year life span, DOT project manager Joshua Idowu had said during the 2006 meeting.

"It is safe, but it is kind of outdated, so it needs to be replaced," McCrory said.

The five-span bridge will be replaced by a single span with a lower roadway profile, and College Farm Road will have access to driveways adjacent to the business properties. Improvements to surrounding local roads will eliminate severe roadway curves below the bridge in order to improve sight distance on Route 1 over the bridge.

During the construction phase, which should last about 2½ years in total and will cost approximately $25 million in federal funding by the National Highway System, three lanes will be maintained in each direction on Route 1; the bridge will be reconstructed in two stages so that four lanes will be maintained; one lane in each direction will be detoured onto the adjacent access roads, and traffic will be maintained in both directions under the bridge.

Although about 1.3 acres of land will have to be deforested, DOT has a plan to add back 2.3 acres of reforestation within the limits of the project, including native species such as dogwoods, oaks, maples, elms, spruces and pines.

DOT said there will be no adverse effects to the historic properties surrounding the project. In regard to cultural concerns, the adjacent New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station College Farm Historic District, the National Musical String Factory and the Raritan River Railroad Historic District will not be affected, based on a Cultural Resources investigation.