6-02-2022 11:01am

Morris County Receives +$2.3 million to Replace Old Bloomfield Ave and Cozy Lake Rd Bridges

The NJ DOT recently announced 32 Local Bridge Fund grants to maintain local bridges throughout NJs 21 counties.

The Local Bridges Fund is a $47.3 million program, funded through the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), that provides funding to each of NJs 21 counties for the improvement of county bridges. The grants focus on the repair, reconstruction, and replacement of bridges with the greatest structural deficiencies.

In 2014, the town of Morristown received $1,000,000 for the replacement of the Ridgedale Avenue bridge that runs over the Whippany River.

This year, Morris County receives a total of $2,320,084 for the replacement of two bridges in Montville and Jefferson Townships.

Funds will be utilized to replace deteriorating bridges at:

Old Bloomfield Avenue Bridge, running over the Rockaway River, will be replaced and funded by a $1,820,084 grant
Cozy Lake Road Bridge, running over the Pequannock River, will be replaced and funded by a $500,000 grant

Old Bloomfield Avenue Bridge sees over 3,000 commuters daily, as of 2017, and has received quality/sufficiency ratings (out of 100) since 1992 that average a sufficiency rating of 65– indicating the bridge is in fair condition. (Conditions rated as Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Fair, or Poor)

Cozy Lake Road Bridge sees more than 3,400 commuters daily, as of 2017, and has received a quality/sufficiency rating since 1991 that averages 71.5 – indicating the bridge is in good condition.

In September of 2017, Cozy Lake Bridge required repairs that BridgeReports.com estimated would cost approximately $2,314,000. The recently announced funding attempts to remedy the deficiencies with a $500k grant.

Grants are administered by the NJ DOT Division of Local Aid and Economic Development and evaluated by the Department’s Bureau of Structural Engineering.

For a complete list of FY22 Local Bridges Fund Grant Awards, click here.

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