Somerset County will fund Rocky Hill bridge work

ROCKY HILL - Somerset County has agreed to fund the the stalled replacement of the Route 518 bridge over the Delaware and Raritan Canal, a project that was halted when state legislators and the governor could not come to an agreement on a way to fund the state's diminished Transportation Trust Fund.

The county will fund the $2.75 million out of its capital funds and will ask the state for reimbursement. County officials said there will be no added impact to county taxpayers.

Work on the project, which had originally been scheduled for completion at the beginning of August, will begin again once a formal memorandum of understanding is reached between the county and the state Department of Transportation.

READ: Pressure mounts on state to reopen Rocky Hill bridge

READ: Somerset County road projects stalled by state construction freeze​

“You cannot put a price tag on the safety and security of Somerset County residents,” Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh said, “nor should they have to bear the fallout from the current impasse in Trenton surrounding the Transportation Trust Fund debate."

Walsh thanked state Sen. Kip Bateman (R-District 16) and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-District 16) for their efforts in lobbying the governor's office for the agreement.

"From a health, safety and convenience standpoint, this is a win for Somerset County residents,” Walsh said.

Bateman said the closure of the bridge, in July a day after construction began, was a "real problem" that has worsened when school opened earlier this month.

"Jack and I have been lobbying hard," he said. "This is a win-win for Somerset County."

Freeholder Mark Caliguire, a Montgomery resident, said township residents will be "very happy that we stepped up."

“The closure of the Route 518 bridge has placed an undue burden on our residents,” Montgomery Mayor Patricia Graham said. “I am happy to hear this issue is being resolved, allowing this project to move forward expeditiously.”

Officials in Montgomery, Rocky Hill and Franklin said the bridge closure is causing headaches for emergency responders.

The Rocky Hill and Montgomery first aid squads must add up to 25 minutes per call, depending on the time of day, in taking patients to University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro on Route 1 because of the lengthy detours.

The closure also affects the time to take trauma patients to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, according to a resolution passed by the Montgomery Township Committee.

The Route 518 bridge, the only major connection between Route 206 and Route 27, is also one of the last spans that become impassable because of floods, according to Montgomery officials.

“The decision to fund the completion of this project demonstrates the freeholders’ commitment to the safety and security of Somerset County residents and ensures this roadway will be safe for travelers,” said Somerset County Public Health and Safety Director William Stahl.

The bridge closure drew statewide attention when Gov. Chris Christie was asked at a press conference about his reaction to three Democratic mayors — Franklin's Phil Kramer, Millstone's Ray Heck and Rocky Hill's Jeff Donahue — holding a rush-hour protest at the bridge and asking the governor to declare the project as "essential" so the work could be completed.

“I could care less what Democratic mayors think about a bridge,” Christie said.

A citizens group started a Facebook page, Bridgegate 2.0-Rocky Hill Bridge, to put pressure on the state and also held protests at the narrow Griggstown Causeway where traffic is being detoured.

The news of the Somerset County agreement was welcomed by Anthony Attanasio, executive director of the Utilities and Transportation Contracts Association, had this to say about the announcement: 

“It is no secret that due to the funding issues surrounding the Transportation Trust Fund, our members have been put out of work, and important projects like the Route 518 bridge have been put on the back burner," he said. "We are happy to get moving and get the project done, and done right."

The freeholders did not announce a timeline for the completion of the work.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com