Century-Old Bridge On Rt. 537 To Be Replaced in 2017

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By Joseph Sapia
COLTS NECK – The county is planning to replace a circa 1900 bridge at Route 537 and Muhlenbrink Road by the end of next year.
The brick, arched culvert with a 6-foot diameter carries Route 537 traffic over Slope Brook.
“Based on its aging equipment, it requires complete replacement,” said Monmouth County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore.
Cherry, Weber Associates of Freehold Township have been awarded a $236,000 contract for design engineering work, as well as to do an inventory of 44 other brick-arched county-owned culverts.
A rough timetable for the project includes the county going out for construction bids this winter, awarding a contact in late December to February, with work beginning in March or April. The six-month project should be completed by the end of 2017, and would require the closing of Route 537 at that point for a maximum of two weeks, according to John W. Tobia, director of county Public Works and Engineering.
Construction is estimated to cost $800,000 to $1 million, according to the county.
An extended detour would not be feasible, because Route 537 is heavily traveled at that point – about 15,000 motor vehicles cross the bridge daily, Ettore said. The detour would be minimal because the county plans to quickly install a pre-cast concrete box culvert, Ettore said.
The specific location of the bridge is on Route 537 just feet east of Muhlenbrink Road – or just opposite the former MaryAnn’s tavern building from Muhlenbrink Road.