KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE) provided preliminary and final design services for Monmouth County for the replacement of County Bridge HL-18, which carries Kent Road over the North Branch of the Metedeconk River. KSE’s responsibilities included bridge and roadway design, geotechnical engineering, hydraulic engineering, utility design and relocation coordination, survey and base mapping, right-of-way engineering, agency permitting, and construction-phase support. KSE also managed and coordinated subconsultant services for environmental permitting, wetland delineation, and historical and archaeological evaluation, ensuring that the project advanced in accordance with County requirements, regulatory commitments, and applicable design standards.
The existing bridge was a structurally deficient, load-posted crossing consisting of three spans: two continuous spans and one simply supported span. The superstructure was composed of precast reinforced concrete T-beams supported by timber pile bents and timber soldier pile-type abutments. With a posted load limit of 15 tons, the bridge no longer met the long-term transportation needs of the corridor and required replacement to restore full structural capacity, improve safety, and maintain reliable access for motorists, pedestrians, emergency responders, and the surrounding community.
KSE developed and evaluated replacement alternatives for the County, considering constructability, hydraulic performance, environmental impacts, right-of-way needs, utility conflicts, cost, aesthetics, and long-term maintenance. Following County approval of the preferred alternative, KSE advanced final design for a jointless, 44-foot, single-span, prestressed concrete box beam bridge supported on semi-integral abutments. The selected design eliminated joints, reduced future maintenance requirements, and provided a durable, efficient structure appropriate for the site conditions and the surrounding community context.
Key project challenges included environmental permitting, protection of wetland and waterway resources, and maintaining pedestrian access throughout construction. To address access needs, the project incorporated a temporary pedestrian bridge, allowing safe passage across the river while the existing bridge was removed and the replacement structure was constructed. The roadway design also included manufactured stormwater treatment devices to improve water quality before runoff entered the adjacent waterway.
Aesthetic enhancements were incorporated into the final design, including bridge railing and guiderail systems designed to NJDOT standards and finished with a black powder-coated treatment to complement the surrounding area. Construction began in January 2021, and the approximately $2.2 million bridge replacement was opened to traffic on schedule in September 2021.
The project’s thoughtful design, successful delivery, environmental sensitivity, and cost-effective replacement of a deficient local bridge were recognized with the ACEC NJ Grand Honor Award for Engineering Excellence.
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