On a web site called "uglybridges," there is a detailed history of its ratings, as well as the estimated cost of replacement set at $1.3 million. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now planning to demolish it as part of the decades-long Green Brook Flood Control project.
As a reporter I covered several of the annual ceremonies remembering victims of the 1971 and 1973 floods that led to establishment of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission. The 23-page "request for proposals" form on the link's home page can give a clue as to why the project seems to move at a glacial pace. Another factor is the number of municipalities involved.
Twelve member communities send representatives to the commission and decisions affecting municipalities may need sign-off by the relevant governing bodies.
Minutes of the commission from the May 6 meeting include discussion of the Jefferson Avenue bridge project and mention its effect on adjacent properties. The attendance list does not include any Plainfield representative.
Plaintalker is trying to gather more information. There are many bridges over the Green Brook in Plainfield. Interest in the condition of bridges statewide only recently grew, but as with roads, there are issues of cost. This project at least will be covered by less than $1 million of $20 million the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has on hand.
Jefferson Avenue is at the city's western border with Dunellen. It was most recently in the (blog) news in 2012, in connection with a PMUA project. The bridge removal will affect pedestrian and road traffic and was interesting enough to me to forget about my "day off.." Hoping to hear from anyone affected by the proposed demolition, which is scheduled for August.
--Bernice
I live around the corner from the bridge on First Street. The road has been blocked off for two days now I wondered what was going on. The has been zero communication about the project.
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