Midstreams Bridge Reopening Looks Doubtful During Construction

A vehicle traverses the Midstreams Bridge in Brick. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A bridge that has been closed in Brick since a county contractor began replacing it earlier this fall is no closer to opening back up, officials said.

The Midstreams Road bridge, which connects to Princeton Avenue, was closed in October for a replacement project. One lane was supposed to remain open during construction, but crews that began removing the first part of the span for replacement noticed there was nothing holding the bridge in place aside from its own weight, according to Mayor John Ducey.

“The engineer has to go back to the freeholders and request more money so a support system can be built,” Ducey said Tuesday night.

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Whether the county freeholder board would be willing to pay to reopen the lanes during the year-long construction project is unknown. Councilman Paul Mummolo, a Princeton Avenue resident, said a call placed to Freeholder Jack Kelly was not returned.

Businesses along Princeton Avenue, without the artery from the northern portion of town feeding traffic, have been feeling the pinch.

“As of now, we have a whole bunch of businesses on Princeton Avenue that are being impacted,” Ducey said.

One business owner said sales were down as much as 30 percent since the closure, he added.