Replacement of Bridge MA-14, C.R. 6 (Amboy Ave.w/Front St) Keyport & Aberdeen, NJ

On November 5, 2015 GHCCI was the apparent low bidder on the Replacement of Monmouth County Bridge MA-14 (Amboy Ave/W. Front St) at Matawan Creek. The existing MA-14 bridge was a four span steel bridge structure with steel open grid decking. The structure was originally built as a drawbridge, but due to the bridge’s poor condition nearly 50 years ago, Monmouth County removed the mechanical equipment and fixed the bridge down to the substructure. The structure continued to deteriorate over the years and was in serious condition. The roadway and bridge were closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic while we demolished the entire existing structure and started to build the new one in the same location.

There were numerous utilities that needed to be relocated before the bridge demolition started. One of our first items of work involved directional drilling of the 8” water and 12” sanitary sewer mains under the river so the existing lines could be removed from the existing bridge. Once that work was done the other existing utilities and drainage in the approaches were relocated outside of the proposed roadway to allow for ground improvements under the approach ramps. This work includes ground improvements and a load transfer mat under both approaches to the new bridge. This will support the embankment and five precast T-Wall retaining walls leading up to the bridge.

The new bridge will be a four span structural steel bridge, with a cast in place concrete deck. Each abutment will be supported on four, sixty inch diameter, drilled shafts, and each pier will consist of four, sixty inch diameter, shafts that continue up to a cast in place pier cap approx. five feet above the river elevation. The drilled shafts
are approximately one hundred feet long. There is also a fender system including composite piles and composite lumber walers.

There are environmental restrictions that only allow work in the water way between July 1st and December 31st of each year, which makes scheduling the work difficult. There are also 34.5KV overhead transmission lines that are approximately 100’ above the river, and cross the river directly next to and parallel to the bridge, which complicates all construction activities.