New Jersey bridge on Route 36 to close for replacement

The Route 36 bridge over Troutman's Creek in Long Branch, New Jersey, is scheduled to close for demolition and replacement starting Monday morning. The project, which is part of a $7.9 million federally funded initiative, is expected to be completed by spring 2027.

Built in 1941, the existing structure was rated as structurally deficient and received a rating of 3 on a scale of 0 to 9 in the National Bridge Inventory. While currently safe for vehicles that adhere to the five-ton weight limit, the bridge is unable to carry the weight it was originally designed for. The new bridge will feature two twelve-foot-wide travel lanes, two eight-foot-wide shoulders, and two six-foot-wide sidewalks. Officials are utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques to finish the work before Memorial Day 2027.