Work on Highlands Bridge begins Monday

by Maryann Spoto Saturday July 05, 2008, 10:52 AM


Half the lanes of traffic on the Route 36 Highlands Bridge will be shut down beginning Monday morning as the state Department of Transportation prepares for its demolition.

The inside lanes of the bridge, which connects Sea Bright and Atlantic Highlands over the Shrewsbury River, will be closed while DOT crews install curb and fencing. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open.

The work is in preparation for the shift of all traffic to the northbound side of the bridge on July 14 for crews to demolish the southbound approach spans of the existing bridge. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction for the duration of the work on building new southbound lanes, which is expected to be completed next summer.

Following that project, traffic will be shifted to the new span for demolition and rebuilding of the northbound lanes. That work is expected to last until December 2010.

The $124.5 million project will replace the 76-year-old drawbridge that has a 35-foot clearance with a fixed span having a 65-foot clearance.

Demolition of the southbound lanes was originally scheduled for June 23, but DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri, at the urging of state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) agreed to postpone the work until after the busy Fourth of July weekend.