AVALON – The County of Cape May has entered into a contract with South State Construction for the reconstruction of the bridge deck and miscellaneous structural repairs to the Ingram’s Thorofare Bridge on Avalon Boulevard.
According to a release, the proposed work will include the rehabilitation of the deteriorated concrete deck, structural steel, and prestressed concrete beam repairs, beam jacking and bearing replacement at piers nine and 13, and replacement of the existing beam guide rail approaches with new guide rail.
The concrete deck will be removed either full depth or partial depth by the hydro-demolition process.
The deck, along six of the spans, will be replaced entirely, and the remaining 17 spans will consist of a partial depth replacement.
The concrete bridge deck will then be overlaid using high-performance concrete. Upon completion, the new concrete surface will be diamond ground to provide for a smooth riding surface and have groves saw cut into the surface for improved drainage and skid resistance.
Work on the project will begin by mid-November 2019 and will proceed in two stages, due to the magnitude of the work.
Stage 1
Stage 1 will involve the replacement of the concrete deck of the eastbound lane and shoulder. Work will proceed as Stage 1 through the winter and into the spring of 2020.
The work on Stage 1 is expected to end by May 7, 2020, and the project will have a seasonal shutdown throughout the summer months.
Stage 2
Stage 2 work will resume Sept. 14, 2020. The project has an overall final completion date of June 18, 2021.
Since one side of the bridge deck will be rehabilitated during each stage of construction, vehicle access will be restricted to one lane of passage.
During Stage 1, work will occur south of the bridge centerline, so the existing westbound travel lane will provide access for alternating traffic. Traffic will be maintained north of the centerline during this stage. The traffic lane will be separated from the construction area by a concrete barrier across the bridge length.
One 11-foot wide travel lane will be maintained for vehicles. A temporary traffic signal will be installed at each approach to the bridge to alternate traffic across the bridge within the westbound lane.
The traffic signal will be equipped with a digital display panel showing the time remaining until the signal changes to green for waiting traffic.
The temporary signal operation and one lane of travel access will begin in mid-November and continue until May 7, 2020. After May 7, 2020, traffic will be returned to one lane in each direction across the bridge.
Stage 2 will consist of the rehabilitation of the bridge deck situated north of the centerline. Traffic will be limited to one travel lane south of the centerline. As in Stage 1, traffic will be separated from the work zone by a temporary concrete barrier curb.
Traffic during Stage 2 will alternate using temporary traffic signals at each approach to the bridge. It is anticipated that the work requiring the temporary traffic signal will be completed by April 30, 2021 at which time the bridge will be permanently opened to two-way traffic.
Motorists are advised to use care while driving through the construction zone. Motorists should also expect delays due to the lane restriction and use of a temporary traffic signal.
Motorists should proceed slowly across the bridge to ensure their safety and the workers’ safety.
Due to weather uncertainties, the contractor may opt to work long days, nights and weekends.
