Route 514/Amwell Road Bridge
to reopen to traffic tomorrow

Emergency repairs completed in Franklin Township

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the County Route 514/Amwell Road Bridge in Franklin Township, Somerset County, that crosses the Delaware & Raritan Canal will reopen to traffic tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11.

NJDOT closed the bridge on January 16 after a regular inspection found excessive stress on the structure from overweight vehicles requiring immediate action.

Built in 1953, a weight restriction of 14 tons was placed on the Amwell Road Bridge in the early 1980s. However, tractor trailers weighing 40 tons recently had been seen crossing the bridge adding further stress to the already deteriorating structure. Temporary repairs were made last summer to keep the bridge open, but the continued use of the bridge by overweight vehicles caused unsafe and excessive movement of the superstructure requiring its closure, which NJDOT inspectors captured on video.

“The closure of this bridge was part of the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s commitment to ensuring all of our bridges and roads are safe for motorists,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said. “Leaving a bridge in this condition open is a risk that NJDOT is not willing to take.”

Both the deck and the substructure were repaired and reinforced. The repairs stiffen the bridge addressing the excessive flexing witnessed by inspectors. This work is meant as an interim solution until the entire bridge can be replaced.  The 14-ton weight restriction will remain in place.

“Our engineers and maintenance crews did a great job getting this bridge repaired and reopened in just a few weeks despite harsh winter weather,” Fox said. “As long as the weight restriction is strictly observed, this repair will allow the bridge to stay open until it can be completely replaced.”