County Fully Reopens Bridge in the Mendhams Following Emergency Repairs

Published on September 19, 2017

TINY HARDSCRABBLE ROAD BRIDGE NOW FULLY OPEN

Morris County has completed emergency repairs to the Hardscrabble Road bridge in the Mendhams and this week fully reopened the small span, which was partially closed in February due to structural defects that were discovered during a routine inspection.

The county contracted with Colonelli Brothers of Hackensack for the emergency repairs for an initial price of $147,470.

(JPG, 2MB) Completed Hardscrabble Road Bridge

The small arch bridge, which runs along the border of Mendham Borough and Mendham Township, had structural problems that has caused its partial closure.

The problem came to the attention of the Morris County Bridge Division when it was discovered that the bridge has developed a large foundational crack and the parapet wall has partially failed.

(JPG, 109KB) Side view of failing portion of the bridge in February

After meeting with a consulting engineer, it was decided to immediately reduce the roadway to one lane, keeping vehicles off the damaged section of the bridge.

The remaining portion of the bridge, which is located a few hundred feet south of Corey Lane and Cherry Lane, was in acceptable condition to continue to allow the safe flow of traffic.

The stone masonry arch bridge is just six-feet long and 30-feet wide. It carries an average of 450 vehicles daily over a tributary to the Passaic River.

A 2012 inspection report provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation did not report any issues or problems with the bridge on Hardscrabble Road. There had not been any subsequent state inspection of the bridge, which is on a 5-year inspection cycle.