Work to replace the Route 18 bridge over Route 1 was supposed to be finished this month. Why is it delayed? Ask @CommutingLarry.
Commuters who've been stuck in construction traffic around the DOT's $30 million bridge project at Routes 1 and 18 may wonder if they'll be retired before it's finished.
The project to build a new bridge to carry Route 18 over busy Route 1 in New Brunswick was originally scheduled to be completed this month. But we're almost out of April and the DOT has pushed the finish line to the summer.
That's left some commuters who deal with construction traffic daily to ask what's taking so long?
"The congestion seems to be getting worse every day with no relief in sight," wrote one commuter.
Q: Can you please find out when some real progress will be done and the new completion date?
A: The project started in July 2014. Last September, the DOT was targeting a spring 2016 completion date. But earlier this month, the DOT officially extended the completion date on the project to the summer.
"The Route 18 over Route 1 Bridge project in New Brunswick is near completion," said Dan Triana, a DOT spokesman. "There were minor delays due to weather, which pushed the expected completion date slightly."
What's left to do is relocating utilities, and installing drainage, highway lighting and landscaping, Triana said.
The final milling, paving and striping along Route 1, Route 18 and on a ramp is expected to be completed this summer, he said.
The biggest potential for delays is moving utility poles and lines, which is done by the utility companies and not by the DOT's contractor, Triana said.
"The remaining roadway work is dependent on the completion of the utility relocations," he said. "Unfortunately, the utility schedule is beyond our control."
But the major work to build a new bridge is done.
"The major structural work, which includes reconstruction of the bridge deck and structural improvements to the ramps have been completed," Triana said.
Is this the week N.J. says hello to $2 gas?
However, the DOT is still sounding a cautionary note about the completion date.
"The precise timing of NJDOT construction projects are difficult to predict and are always subject to change due to weather and other factors," Triana said.
In recent weeks, we've gotten answers to the $25,000 question about why drawbridges open during rush hour and whether NJ Transit should open all the cars on a commuter train. What do you need answered?
Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.