Rendering of new West Front Street bridge.

The sound of metal rattling and the feel of the ground shaking are probably familiar side effects for anyone crossing the West Front Street Bridge that connects Red Bank to Middletown. The original West Front Street Bridge (Monmouth County S-17) was built in 1921, and due to extensive deterioration, the bridge was replaced with a transitory structure while a new bridge was being designed.

Monmouth County awarded Maser Consulting the contract to begin construction management work on the long overdue structure. It consists of a 488-foot long curved steel girder bridge with approximately six 80-foot long spans supported on pile bents and pile supported abutments. The new bridge will tie into the transitional bridge footprint, utilizing the existing roadway approaches and will improve travel across the Swimming River for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

The construction inspection and administration team will be involved with all aspects of the project, including federal paperwork, traffic signal modifications, minor roadway widening, improved storm water drainage, highway lighting, new guide rail treatments, pavement and landscaping. The improvements will include the construction of approach embankments and retaining walls, with the approach embankments confined by steel sheet pile retaining walls to minimize the impact on wetlands and adjacent properties.

When slightly above residential standard soils were found to exceed the NJDEP Soil Remediation Standards, the County enlisted the expertise of our environmental team. The team was tasked with identifying the soil contaminants, characterizing the material and monitoring the soil excavation and disposal activities. Upon completion, a report will be submitted to NJDEP, documenting the remedial activities performed as part of the bridge replacement project.

The West Front Street Bridge aims to increase quality of life for residents by greatly improving traffic flow, providing stability and granting a safer walkway for pedestrians. Once completed, the bridge will offer commuters a smooth and scenic ride across the Swimming River. Work on the bridge began July 2013 and while  residents can expect detours throughout the area, the new bridge will be 32-feet wide with two 12-foot travel lanes, four-foot shoulders, and will accommodate six-foot pedestrian sidewalks in both directions. The project is scheduled to open by Memorial Day 2015.