Engineer Gives Update on Bridges

CORRECTION: According to County Engineer Dale Foster, the amount that would be needed to replace four Bridge Commission bridges would be $500 million. Another $500 million would be needed to bring the county’s bridges into compliance with current standards, for a total of $1 billion. 
CREST HAVEN – Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster said that many bridges in the county are in need of serious repair, and are designated as “structurally deficient “or “functionally obsolete.” However, “funding for this type of big-ticket work is difficult to obtain and even when successful can take 10 years from design through to permitting to the actual start of construction,” said Foster. 
Foster gave an update June 2 on the status of county bridges to the Coalition of Civic Associations at the county Administration Building.
Foster explained that “bridges” are defined as a structure greater than 20 feet in length. When designated as “structurally deficient,” they may be closed or restricted to traffic due to limited structural capacity.
However, such bridges are not “unsafe” but must have limits posted for speed and weight of vehicles traversing them.
Bridges deemed “functionally obsolete” have older design features and geometrics. These bridges are also not unsafe but cannot accommodate modern-day traffic volumes, the size of vehicles or their weight. 
County bridges which are either or both structurally deficient or functionally obsolete include:
* Lafayette Street Bridge over Cape Island Creek
* Ocean Drive over Upper Thorofare
* Marshallville Road over Mill Creek (Upper Township)
* Stone Harbor Boulevard over Great Channel
* Ocean Drive over Great Channel
* Ocean Drive over Mill Creek (Lower Township)
Foster estimated that the cost to bring all county bridges into compliance with modern standards would be at least $5 billion with extensive and lengthy mitigation required.
“So much of the cost is related to environmental regulations; I would estimate at least one-half of the final project expense is paying for DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) permitting and consultants to guide us through the permits.”
A participant from the group who said he had worked in Trenton for many years commented, “When I started there 30 years ago DEP had 25 employees, and now it has two entire buildings of offices and 9,000 employees.”
Foster added that for required Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineer approvals there is no cost but for DEP approvals, the county pays on average at least $9,000 per project.
“DEP, per its operating legislation, must finance at least 80 percent of its budget through fees generated through approvals and violations,” he added.
Bridges Infrastructure
There are 23 county bridges in the county, five Bridge Commission bridges (Grassy Sound, Middle Thorofare, Townsend’s Inlet, Corson’s Inlet and Ocean City-Longport) and 20 “minor” bridges defined as less than 20 feet in length.
County bridges are usually constructed of the now-preferred material, cement. Commission bridges have used steel.
Given that the county is surrounded by water the 23 county bridges represent the smallest number of bridges for counties in New Jersey but are seventh among all counties in total deck area.
Foster said at present most new bridges are constructed of concrete which avoids deterioration from wind and salt water experienced by bridges built of steel.
The county inspects all bridges extensively every two years, which inspections are funded through state and federal channels. The county performs underwater inspections every four years.
Bridge Funding
Foster said the significant portion of county bridge funding originated from its revenues generated by property taxes. “There is so much red tape trying to get federal funds that it’s not worth the effort, and we don’t encourage using this source. For state funding, it’s mainly from the Transportation Trust Fund, but as of June 30, that won’t be an option anymore given its own financial problems.”
Foster noted that for every dollar the county receives it must add at least two dollars from its own funding to pay for any bridge project.
Replacement Not Possible
Current funding from all government and tax sources is inadequate to begin to consider replacing just a small causeway bridge, rued Foster.
In the county, staged construction is needed to accommodate the tourist season as well as to be in compliance with legislation that protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Such regulations add unique charges to the final tally, Foster noted.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.