Park Avenue Bridge opens to traffic Jan. 2
Bridge project planned to be complete by July
BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff The Park Avenue Bridge in the Elberon section of Long Branch opened to traffic Jan. 2.

LONG BRANCH — The Park Avenue Bridge in the Elberon section of the city opened last week after being closed for nearly a year and a half to allow for a complete reconstruction of the once deteriorating bridge.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) opened the newly constructed bridge at 11 p.m. on Jan. 2, which spans the NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast rail line in Long Branch.

The bridge, located just north of the Elberon train station, has been closed to traffic since July 2007.

"NJDOT's replacement of the structurally deficient Park Avenue Bridge demonstrated the state of New Jersey's commitment to improving our transportation infrastructure and the quality of life for Monmouth County residents," said Gov. Jon S. Corzine in a press release.

The NJDOT has completed the $6.7 million state-funded replacement of the functionally obsolete bridge with a new structure that features improved vertical clearance and sight distance, according to the release.

The project included upgrades to the roadway that approaches the bridge from Woodgate Avenue and Park Lane. The intersections of Park Avenue with Woodgate Avenue, Truax Street, Lincoln Court and Jim Lynch Drive are also being improved.

Lincoln Court will remain closed to through traffic until the roadwork is complete. The entire project is scheduled for completion in July.

NJDOT will use portable variable messaging signs on Route 71 and local roads to inform motorists of the traffic pattern changes. For more information, visit www.nj511.info.

Councilman Brian Unger added, "It's been a tough impact on the Elberon neighborhood, but the new bridge is a great improvement. The key thing now for our traffic officers will be to try and keep automobile speeds low with the many pedestrians we have using the bridge, sidewalks and local streets."