KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE) provided comprehensive Construction Management, Resident Engineering, and Construction Inspection services for the replacement of a deficient county bridge with a new two-span, curved steel girder structure. Acting on behalf of Essex County and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Local Aid Program, KSE administered all phases of construction, including contract administration, resident engineering, inspection, quality assurance, documentation, schedule and budget monitoring, utility coordination, and compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), NJDOT, and regulatory requirements. KSE also managed contractor submittals, Requests for Information (RFIs), source inspection documentation, monthly payment estimates, field issue resolution, maintenance and protection of traffic, public coordination, and project reporting while supporting successful FHWA and NJDOT financial and technical audits.
The project involved the complete demolition of the existing structurally deficient bridge and construction of a modern replacement designed to improve safety, capacity, and long-term durability while enhancing the surrounding transportation corridor. Construction required installation of temporary shielding, steel sheeting, and cofferdams, followed by removal of the existing bridge superstructure, abutments, piers, wingwalls, and spread footings. The replacement structure incorporated new vertical and horizontal roadway alignments to improve sight distance and superelevation, providing a safer and more efficient roadway for the traveling public.
The new bridge was supported on four 36-inch-diameter drilled shaft foundations extending approximately 15 to 20 feet below grade. Cross-hole sonic logging was performed to verify the integrity of the placed concrete and ensure the structural quality of the foundations. Additional bridge features included curved structural steel girders, fixed and expansion bearings, a machine-paved reinforced concrete deck constructed using a self-propelled Gomaco paving system, reinforced concrete parapets, sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and architectural enhancements including ornamental railings, decorative fencing, stone veneer treatments, and aesthetically finished abutments and retaining walls.
Roadway improvements included full-depth pavement reconstruction, new drainage systems, reconstructed inlets and manholes, driveway aprons, milling and asphalt paving, epoxy pavement striping, guide signs, and installation of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining wall. KSE provided specialized inspection services during construction of the MSE wall to verify compliance with project specifications and manufacturer recommendations. The project also reconstructed and lowered an existing multi-use trail beneath the bridge to maintain adequate clearance for maintenance vehicles and utility access.
Because the project affected historically significant resources, including the Morris Canal and the existing bridge, construction required close coordination with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJHPO), compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, and continuous archaeological monitoring to document and preserve historically significant features encountered during excavation.
The project’s exceptional construction management, engineering excellence, and sensitive integration of modern infrastructure with historic preservation were recognized with the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey (ACEC NJ) Award for Engineering Excellence.
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