Monmouth County to repair Compton’s Creek bridge

Just in case some Middletown residents haven't heard about this, I am posting this news brief from the County. This project will impact some of those that live in and around the Port Monmouth section of town and may make it difficult for some to get to the Belford Ferry terminal, depending on how they travel.

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Work to stabilize the southwestern embankment at Monmouth County’s bridge over Compton’s Creek on Broadway in Port Monmouth is expected to begin Monday, Jan. 31.

Weather permitting, the project is expected to take one week to complete. Vehicle traffic on Broadway and across the bridge should expect to be detoured between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. There may be occasions where the detours remain in place until 5 p.m. Broadway is expected to be open to traffic each evening.

Specifically, eastbound traffic in Port Monmouth will detour from Main Street to Port Monmouth Road to Church Street and return to Broadway. Conversely, westbound traffic will detour from Broadway to Church Street to Port Monmouth Road to Main Street in Port Monmouth.

“The scheduled repair will stabilize the eroded southwest embankment and correct the undermined edge of the roadway adjacent to the bridge,” County Engineer Joseph Ettore said. “This condition was caused by the tidal influence of Compton’s Creek.”

The embankment will be reestablished to its original limits with suitable backfill and filter fabric. The repairs also will include the construction of about 30 feet of timber retaining wall. Finally, an upgraded guide rail system will be installed in front of the retaining wall repair to provide additional protection to the traveling public.

“These repairs will benefit Middletown residents, commuters, patrons of Bayshore Waterfront Park and other local travelers who have been affected by recent tidal flooding and washouts,” Freeholder John P. Curley said. “Stabilizing the embankment will resolve public safety concerns and restore full access to the county bridge and municipal roadway.”

The work will be performed by the Bridge Division of the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.

“The county understands the inconvenience these detours will have on motorists and local residents,” said John W. Tobia, director of the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “Unfortunately, this work cannot be completed without the closure of the bridge and road.”