The state and county will host a joint meeting and information session on the replacement of the timber-planked Chadwick Island Bridge next week.
County officials, along with representatives from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), will conduct a Local Concept Development study to “determine appropriate improvements to the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge.”
The goals of the study are to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and increase safety for all modes of transportation, a statement from NJTPA said. The study team will present conceptual improvement options to the public and solicit feedback during the meeting.
The Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is an all-timber bridge that was constructed in the 1950s. Due to its age, many of the load bearing piles and their cross bracing have severe timber rot and section loss. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet today’s design standards.
The open house-style meeting begins at 4 p.m. and concludes at 7 p.m. There will be a brief presentation at 4:30 p.m. It will be held at Mancini Hall at the Ocean County Library’s Toms River branch, 101 Washington Street, Toms River.
