Avalon Bridge to Get $10.1M-Upgrade

CREST HAVEN – The 52-year-old Ingram’s Thorofare Bridge on Avalon Boulevard linking Avalon and Middle Township will undergo a $10.1-million refurbishing.
Freeholders approved a resolution March 26 to seek a short-term loan from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. The funds were included in a 2018 bond ordinance.
The span, built in 1967, is 1,675 feet and its major span is 100.1 feet and has a distance to water of just over 35 feet. It does not need to rise for marine traffic due to its height.
The distance between curbs is nearly 28 feet. Its main span is steel while the deck is concrete.
In other action the board:
* The county’s $161-million budget was passed without any public comment. The tax rate will be $.2276 per $100 of assessed value, an increase of 3/10 of a cent over the 2018 county tax rate.
* Awarded a contract to Hertrich Fleet Services, Inc. of Milford, Del. to supply four passenger vehicles.
Allison Hansen of the Purchasing Department reported that five bids were received to supply the vehicles. She said the prices were better than prices on state contract. Prices ranged from $18,276 for a Ram 1500 to $25,075 for a Dodge Charger. Two Jeep Compasses were included for $19,400 and $20,780.
* Authorized a change order not to exceed $175,000 to the contract with architectural firm Buell, Kratzer Powell Ltd. for renovation of the former Kmart building in Rio Grande. The firm was awarded a not-to-exceed $569,156 contract in February.
The resolution noted the need for “an expansion in the usage of future tenant facades and space at the front of the building and the open walkway covered by roof area.”
The action will create places for future tenants and “will allow for the county to lease all available square footage included in the building envelope.”
* Reappointed and appointed to the Solid Waste Advisory Council Christopher Ridings and Donna Frederick. Ridings was added as a member and Frederick as an alternate member representing West Wildwood.
* Approved application to the state Office of Homeland Security, on behalf of the Office of Emergency Management, for $260,204 from Sept. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2022 “to provide funding to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from threats and incidents of terrorism.”
* Appointed members to the county Women’s Commission: Jacqueline Fiore, Jennifer Shivers, Barbara St. Clair, Amy J. Mahon, and Christine Cote. Terms expire March 26, 2022.