Middle Valley Bridge Work Now Set for July

The anticipated start date for work on Middle Valley Bridge near West Mill Road is now the first week of July, according to a traffic advisory from .

The project's original start date was expected to be in April or May, and then in June, but it has been pushed back. It's expected to take six to eight months.

Once the project starts there will not be any access over the bridge from either direction, police said. Advisory signs with a detour route will be posted two weeks prior to the project starting to alert motorists.

The detour route is Middle Valley Road the Califon Road intersection in Washington Township, to Pleasant Grove Road in Lebanon Township, to Sliker Road, to County Route 513 (Califon-Chester Road).

The bridge at the end of the county road is being completely replaced, , and approximately 100 feet of pavement on both sides of the bridge will be milled and paved as well. The federally funded project comes at a cost of $1.7 million, Khurdan said.

Some residents in the area have expressed concern over the ability of fire and first aid personnel to safely reach homes between Zellers Road and the bridge location. In that area is a hairpin turn, named Woodpecker’s Point, that forces drivers to turn approximately 135-degrees right, downhill.

Representatives from the Morris County Department of Public Works will be attending the Washington Township Committee work session May 16 at 7:30 p.m. to give an overview of the Middle Valley Road Bridge Project and to answer any questions that may arise. This meeting will be held at the , 43 Schooley’s Mountain Road and is open to the public.

Residents with questions about traffic matters can contact Officer Michael Hade at 908-876-8308 or mhade@wtpdmorris.org. Also, see Patch's traffic and gas maps for updates.