Monday, August 25, 2014

Catawba Bridge (EH-17) Replacement to Begin Fall 2015 to Avoid Concurrent Detours on Rt. 559, EHT

The replacement of Catawba Bridge, EH-17, over Miry Run on Somers Point-Mays Landing Road (Rt. 559) in Egg Harbor Township will go out to bid early next spring, several months later than originally planned to prevent motorists from having to deal with two detours on the same roadway at the same time.

“There are a few reasons for the postponement,” stated County Executive Dennis Levinson. “The primary one being that we already have a detour in place on Rt. 559 related to the reconstruction of bridge EH-21. To add another detour on the same roadway within the same municipality would cause a substantial inconvenience and delay for residents and motorists.”

“We also recently learned upon further review by the engineer consultant that the western embankment of the EH-17 bridge will require additional remedial activity prior to construction.”

Revised plans call for construction of the EH-17 bridge to begin in September or October of 2015 following the completion and reopening of bridge EH-21 over English Creek.

“Our intent is to avoid implementing the EH-17 bridge detour during the summer months when many people from out of the area, in addition to our own residents, use Rt. 559 to access shore points,” noted Levinson.

The Catawba Bridge is a 100-year old single span, concrete encased steel stringer structure, with one 12-foot lane and one 4-foot shoulder in each direction. The approach roadway will be raised above the estimated 100-year flood elevation. The new bridge will be raised to 5-feet from the high water elevation to increase the vertical clearance for recreational watercraft and to remain in compliance with federal regulations that govern Miry Run within the Great Egg Harbor River Wild and Scenic River System.

County News