Construction Announcement

This project's construction contract was awarded to CMS Construction, Inc. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.  The pre-construction meeting was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

[UPDATE 11-12-2024] Bridge M1019 Somerset Street, North Plainfield was re-opened to all traffic today, Tuesday (11/12), at approximately 2:30 PM following the successful completion of the County’s Bridge replacement project.  Posted detour signs are in the process of being taken down.

The Somerset Street Bridge M1019, located between Dupont Street / Codington Avenue and Howard Street, was closed to vehicular traffic starting on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, for the 6-month duration of construction. Utility relocation and accommodation work is now complete.  Final phase of bridge construction work in progress, with roadway restoration work to follow.  Project is on target for early completion of project and reopening roadway by end of November 2024.

The detour route for vehicles will be posted along Mountain Avenue, Watchung Avenue and Route 22 Eastbound.  Pedestrian access to local businesses and through the closed work zone will be maintained throughout the project - follow posted signs and fencing for Pedestrian Access.

Project Description

County Bridge No. M1019 carries Somerset Street over Crab Brook in the Borough of North Plainfield.  The existing bridge is a single-span multi-stringer encased in concrete slab with bituminous overlay supported on concrete/stone masonry abutments.  The bridge is seamlessly connected to an upstream culvert under an empty lot and to a downstream culvert under an adjacent building.  This bridge is located approximately 50’ north of Dupont Street and Somerset Street intersection.  The surrounding area has been developed as a business district with various stores.  The Project Location Map can be viewed here.

The total bridge width to be replaced is approximately 64’, measured along its skew, within the existing Right-of-Way (measured perpendicular to the roadway).  The existing bridge provides a two-lane, one in each direction, 39’-9” clear roadway width with sidewalk along the east and the west side.  The overall condition of the structure is poor due to the severe deterioration of the exposed stringers.  The deck is in fair condition due to fine cracks with efflorescence and stalactite growth, and dampness with shallow spalls.  The superstructure is in poor condition due to sidewalk exposed steel stringers displaying severe rusting and delamination with section loss. The substructure is in fair condition due to missing stones and scaling.

The purpose of this project is to restore the structural capacity of the bridge with a single span, precast concrete rigid frame and cast-in-place culvert to accommodate existing utilities.  The existing roadway pavement width at the bridge will remain the same.  The existing sidewalks on the bridge will be replaced.

Public Information Meeting

A virtual public information meeting in regard to this project was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.  The purpose of this meeting is to inform local residents, officials, and the general public of Somerset County’s proposed plans to replace the bridge that carries Somerset Street over Crab Brook.  The information meeting allows the public an opportunity to examine the concept plans for the project and make comments. The display boards from the Public Information Meeting included:

• Photos of Existing Conditions
• Proposed - Construction Plan
• Proposed - Bridge Plan and Elevation
• Proposed - Maintenance and Protection of Traffic - Detour for All Vehicles
• Proposed - Maintenance and Protection of Traffic - Pedestrian Access (2 Stages)
• General Property Parcel Map
• Project Information Sheet

For more information contact the Engineering Division.

updated 11/12/2024 

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer