Lettiere
announces completion of Route 179
Hyperbuild project
NJDOT
installs West Amwell bridge in four months
(Trenton)
- Commissioner Jack Lettiere today announced the successful completion
of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) second
Hyperbuild initiative project. NJDOT installed and rehabilitated
a bridge on Route 179 in West Amwell, Hunterdon County.
The application
of Hyperbuild concepts enabled NJDOT to install the bridge in
four months, saving 21 months and $520,000.
"Hyperbuild
enables NJDOT to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and
save taxpayer dollars," said Commissioner Lettiere. "NJDOT
under the Hyperbuild initiative has replaced bridges more cost-efficiently
and quickly."
NJDOT
followed an aggressive schedule and used an unconventional detour
route to complete the majority of the construction during summer
2005, minimizing the project's impact upon those traveling to
and from nearby West Amwell Elementary School and South Hunterdon
Regional High School. NJDOT
expedited construction by employing a detour route on adjacent
Route 202 and allowing only one lane of traffic to travel in a
single direction through the construction area.
NJDOT
reduced the project's design and construction time by salvaging
the bridge's original abutments and piers and reconstructing only
50 feet of roadway. H & G Contractors of Ridgeway, NJ installed
the new bridge beams, deck and guide rails and rehabilitated roadway
approaches. This shortened construction
duration, making the new bridge usable more quickly and with minimal
disruption to motorists.
NJDOT
typically would complete a project of this magnitude in approximately
25 months using traditional deck replacement and bridge rehabilitation
methods.
The
rehabilitation of the Route 179 Bridge using Hyperbuild enabled
NJDOT to more quickly improve motorist safety and minimize the
project's environmental impact. Prior
to its replacement, the 76-year old Route 179 Bridge was in poor
condition due to the wide cracks in
its underside. Its concrete railings were flaking and its
reinforcing steel beams were deteriorating.
The
Route 179 Bridge spans Alexauken Creek, an environmentally sensitive
stream, and is located within the Mt. Airy Historic District.
NJDOT initially planned this project as a total bridge reconstruction,
which would have required major permits and environmental coordination.
NJDOT then streamlined the design and construction process to
save time and reduce the project's impact upon the environment.
More
than 5,000 vehicles use the Route 179 Bridge daily. NJDOT projects
that in 15 years approximately 50 percent
more vehicles will use the bridge.
NJDOT
currently is employing Hyperbuild on thirteen additional projects
statewide.
