Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Rehabilitation of Sea Isle Boulevard Bridge Begins

Expect lane closings and delays.

Sea Isle City residents and visitors are advised to allow extra time
when entering and leaving the island in the upcoming months.

Rehabilitation work requires lane closings from 7 a.m. Monday
mornings through 7 a.m. on Friday mornings for the duration of the work.

The Sea Isle City Boulevard Bridge, County Road No. 625 crosses Ludlam
Thorofare between Sea Isle City and Dennis Township.

Temporary traffic signals have been stationed at the each end of the
bridge and are currently in the yellow flash mode. The traffic signals will go
into normal operation beginning next week to control the traffic that will
alternate direction of travel through the one open lane on the bridge. Over
the weekends the signals will be place in the flash mode to allow
unobstructed two-way travel. The extended lane closings are scheduled to
run until Memorial Day weekend.

Cape May County officials advise motorists to be patient when
approaching the bridge, adding that it is imperative that motorists obey the
traffic signals for their own safety and the safety of other motorists as
well as the construction workers.

The Sea Isle Boulevard Bridge over Ludlam Thorofare is a 31-span
structure, built in 1963, consisting of a single 93-foot steel main span that is
flanked by pre-stressed concrete girder spans. This bridge is supported on
concrete piles and piers with a total bridge length of 1,656 feet. This
structure is on the only mainland access route directly connected to the City
of Sea Isle City.

Work being performed consists of constructing armored and sealed
deck joint systems, repairing the deteriorated sections of the reinforced
concrete deck and safety walks, structural steel repairs to the main span,
safety feature upgrades and providing access for some of the pre-stressed
concrete beam repairs.

Allied Painting, Inc. of Franklinville, NJ is the contractor for the more
than $3,044,000 construction project funded by the Cape May County Board
of Chosen Freeholders with a $1,000,000 grant from NJ Department of
Transportation FY2009 Local Bridge, Future Needs Funds. The purpose of
the grant is to address county-owned structurally deficient bridges
throughout the State.

The first phase of repairs is on reinforced concrete piers supporting
the bridge. This work is being performed from underneath of the bridge
where it does not impact the motoring public. These repairs will continue
throughout the duration of the project without interference with traffic.
Completion is expected by early August 2009. County officials say
the extensive rehabilitation project is meant to extend the useful life of
the bridge and keep the bridge functioning without the need of major
repairs for another 10 to 15 years.