def #268 09/30/08

BRIDGE WORK COMPLETED ON OAK RIDGE PARKWAY

Pictured cutting the ceremonial red ribbon marking the completion of Vince's Bridge on Oak Ridge Parkway are, from left, Frank Marucci, Jr., President, Marbro, Inc., Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, Toms River Township Councilman Peter V. Cassano, Councilwoman Melanie S. Donohue, Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, Council President Gregory P. McGuckin and Ocean County Engineer Frank S. Scarantino.

Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari is joined by Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher and Council members waving to the first cars crossing Vince's Bridge on Oak Ridge Parkway just after the ceremonial red ribbon was cut.

TOMS RIVER – Traffic began flowing over a new span on Oak Ridge Parkway today after Ocean County and Toms River Township officials joined for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

“We had the new bridge installed in 79 days,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the county’s Engineering Department. “The work proved no inconvenience to the traveling public and now there is a new span in place that will help safely move traffic.”

Work on installing the pre-fabricated, state-of-the-art bridge to replace the aging span on Oak Ridge Parkway began during the summer months.

“Instead of doing all the actual bridge construction on site, much of the span was built at the factory and installed as prefabricated pieces,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “The method moved the project along quickly. Normally, replacing a span like Vince’s Bridge would take up to 24 months to complete.”

The Board of Freeholders awarded a $2,557,117.00 contract to Marbro, Inc. of Montclair, N.J. for the 100-foot-long bridge that spans the Toms River near Winding River Park.

Work on the concrete structure began offsite shortly after the contract was awarded.

“I am delighted to see the completion of this new bridge on Oak Ridge Parkway. Ocean County deserves credit for undertaking this project and completing it in such an expeditious manner,” said Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher. “Tom River Township and Ocean County have a wonderful working relationship and this project is just another example of that.”

As part of the project the county installed a temporary bypass bridge over the river to keep traffic flowing on Oak Ridge Parkway during construction.

“We have about 8,000 cars a day or more on that road so it’s important that we kept the cars moving throughout the construction,” Kelly said.

Oak Ridge Parkway is an important north-south route linking Route 37 with Route 571. It’s a popular link between Berkeley Township’s sprawling adult communities and shopping areas in Toms River.

“Getting people around Ocean County safely and conveniently is a priority with the Board of Freeholders,” Kelly said. “This bridge is an example of looking at innovative ways of getting things done with little inconvenience to the motoring public and the surrounding neighborhoods.”