PIECE BY PIECE: DOT starts destruction of bridge, community copes ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 Posted:07/20/08
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Despite community outcry, lawsuits and investigations, demolition of the Route 36 Highlands bridge began on Monday, July 14.
“The bridge demolition had produced a little anxiety among all of us,” Highlands Mayor Anna Little said. “ I know that there are some members of the public that have had safety concerns and we are advocating those concerns.”
A backhoe was used to remove the railing and sidewalk on the south side of the bridge this week. New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) contractors, J.H. Reid General Contractors, South Plainfield, are removing the portion of the structure to begin replacing the drawbridge with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge.
The railing debris was collected and carried down the road by machinery. The concrete from the sidewalk was pounded out by the backhoe and fell to the ground under the bridge.
DOT Director of Communications Erin Phalon said the debris over the land was falling into a closed area for collection.
On Monday, cones on the road and plastic fencing near the river marked off the site where debris was falling. A J.H. Reid representative was standing in the street to direct traffic.
However, two boys managed to ride bicycles under the bridge until they were shooed away by the contractor in the street.
Little noted that she received requests from the public for netting to catch the falling debris and said she would discuss the option with the DOT.
Phalon did not say that netting was planned to catch debris over the land or water, but she did say if Little had concerns the DOT would discuss the issue. One way
Resident and business owner Nick Evangelista, who lives five doors from the bridge, said he was concerned about the traffic issues on Route 36.
“Traffic is a mess. There are no clear detours and the signage is insufficient,” Evangelista said. “People are crisscrossing the road here because there is no other way to get around.”
The southbound ramp to Bay Avenue, which is also used for U-turns, has been closed since Tuesday without warning signage, according to Evangelista. Therefore, drivers are scrambling to turnaround on the highway before crossing the bridge, he said.
Evangelista said he was also concerned about how the highway narrows from four to two lanes in front of his driveway, which makes it nearly impossible for him or his customers to enter his bed and breakfast during the weekends.
“The traffic was as far as the eye could see at 9 o’clock on Saturday night. People were stranded on Sandy Hook,” Evangelista said. “It is a nightmare here on the weekends.”
Sea Bright Mayor Maria Fernandes said the bottleneck of traffic during this time of year would kill the economy of the area. Visitors will be frustrated by the traffic and not return to the area, she said.
Little said she was advocating for traffic abatement, such as rerouting drivers from Route 36. However, she noted that redirecting traffic would affect other areas as well.
Discussion is anticipated for the Bridge Liaison meeting on Friday, July 18, at 9 a.m. at Borough Hall.
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