CREST HAVEN – If only $700 million were available, Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster could rehabilitate all the county’s bridges. That would put them all in really good condition, not replace them, and just bring them up to par. But that’s not going to happen. The best Foster can do is cobble together plans to patch here and there, replace some rusting supports, and fix deficient railings.
Just those little “patch” jobs will cost about $8 million in the 2013 County Public Work Bond Ordinance Request. Foster made a report to freeholders at the Nov. 26 caucus, detailing plans to repair sinkholes, storm damaged roadways and more.
It’s the five county, and four county Bridge Commission bridges over which residents and visitors travel that will, like an aching tooth, get the most immediate attention for about $8 million, that’s $5 million for county bridges, $2.95 million for Bridge Commission spans.
Lafayette Street Bridge over Cape Island Creek will get new metal supports and concrete repair for $750,000 with an anticipated $500,000 state grant to aid the expense.
Next will be Ocean Drive Bridge over Upper Thorofare, a span of 350 feet that has erosion around its abutments. Located on Ocean Drive toward Cape May from the Middle Thorofare Bridge, it too will cost $750,000 to repair, and also receive $500,000 in grants.
Not far away, the Ocean Drive Bridge over Mill Creek is woefully inadequate, at only 20 feet wide and 300 feet in length, crafted with concrete beams. Foster said the $1.3-million upgrade will widen the span to 40 feet allowing 12-foot-wide shoulders on both sides. To replace it entirely would require between $8 million to $10 million, Foster said. He hopes to become a “place holder” for future federal dollars for the bridge.
Meanwhile, in Ocean City, on 17th Street, a culvert needs replacing which will cost $1.5 million. A sinkhole appeared there the night after this year’s Night in Venice celebration, he said.
“We are looking at a total replacement, combing sidewalks and a completely new structure. A public meeting regarding that repair is scheduled for Dec. 9 for residents.
In Stone Harbor, on 104th Street, $750,000 is projected to replace “flimsy guide railing” where a gap is large enough for a child to easily fall into the water.
On Townsend’s Inlet Bridge, linking Avalon and Sea Isle City, $150,000 is projected to repair the bascule span, and $600,000 to repair fender damage caused by a barge that broke loose. It’s expected an insurance company will pay the latter, but the case remains in federal court, since a vessel caused it, Foster said.
Pile repairs and other upgrades to Corson’s Inlet Bridge, linking Strathmere and Ocean City, will cost $1.25 million.
Middle Thorofare Bridge, connecting Lower Township and Five Mile Beach, will get $400,000 for slope protection, which is expected to be covered by Federal Highway Administration Sandy Emergency Relief Funds at 80 percent.
The same bridge will also receive $250,000 in priority pile repairs.
Foster also detailed projects that will repair an array of county roads for a collective bill of $27.1 million.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
