Construction Announcement

This project’s construction contract was awarded to Konkus Corporation on February 14, 2023.  The preconstruction meeting was held on April 27, 2023.

Construction Phase Stage 1 began on September 14, 2023, with new bridge and realigned roadway work being done while South Branch Road remains open to through traffic.  Construction Phase Stage 1 earthwork and overhead utility relocation work is now complete.

Construction Phase Stage 2 begin on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 2pm, with full road closure with posted detour route. The segment of South Branch Road (CR 567), between Hillcrest Drive and Windfield Terrace will be closed to all through traffic (vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians) for approximately 50 days.  Posted detour includes:  Pleasant Run Road (CR 567), Picket Place (CR 567), River Road (CR 625), Opie Road (CR 625), and Studdiford Drive (CR 606).  Local access to driveways will be maintained at all times during construction.  The Detour Plan can be viewed here.

Construction Phase Stage 2 work includes:  removal of existing roadway pavement and removal of existing bridge, installation of new gas main (PSE&G), installation of new sanitary sewer force main, construction of the new realigned portion of South Branch Road (CR 567) to the new Bridge C0701 built during Stage 1.  [UPDATE 10-22-2025] Road construction nearing completion with final grading and drainage work.  Installation of beam guide rail, traffic striping and punchlist items in progress.  Updated schedule to complete all work and reopen South Branch Road within the next three weeks, on or about November 12^th.

Project Description

County Bridge No. C0701 carries South Branch Road (CR 567) over Brokaw Brook in the Township of Branchburg.  The existing bridge is a single-span slab with embedded structural steel stringers superstructure supported on concrete abutments.  The existing 14 ft span bridge provides a two-lane, one in each direction, 22 ft clear roadway width.  The Project Location Map can be viewed here.

The existing structure is in satisfactory condition due to the condition of the superstructure and substructure. The superstructure is in satisfactory condition due to minor scaling with exposed aggregate and fine crack to the concrete encasement. The substructure is in satisfactory condition due to minor scaling of the abutments at the waterline.  The structure is classified as Functionally Obsolete due to inadequate deck geometry.  

The purpose of this project is to restore the structural capacity of the bridge and eliminating the functional obsolete classification with a single span, reinforced concrete slab on steel stringers supported on reinforced concrete abutments.  The existing roadway at both approaches to the bridge will be realigned to improve the horizontal and vertical geometry to better meet the design standards. The roadway pavement width at the bridge will be widened from 22 ft to 36 ft, to comply with NJDOT standards.

This project is funded by Somerset County.

Public Information Meeting

A virtual public information meeting in regard to this project was held on August 31, 2022.  The purpose of this meeting is to inform local residents, officials, and the general public of Somerset County’s proposed plans to replace the bridge that carries South Branch Road (CR 567) over Brokaw Brook and improve the alignment along CR 567.  The information meeting allows the public an opportunity to examine the concept plans for the project and make comments. The display boards from the Public Information Meeting included:

• Photos of Existing Conditions
• Proposed - Construction Plan [3 sheets]
• Proposed - Bridge Plan and Elevation
• Proposed - Maintenance and Protection of Traffic - Stages 1-3
• Proposed - Maintenance and Protection of Traffic - Detour
• General Property Parcel Map
• Project Information Sheet

For more information contact the Engineering Division.

updated 10/22/2025

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