Public Input Survey Requested Regarding Lenape Island Bridge
Published on November 03, 2023
Local Concept Development Study for Historic Denville Bridge Has Begun
The County of Morris, in cooperation with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), has announced the start of a Local Concept Development (LCD) Study for the Lenape Island Bridge over Indian Lake on Lenape Trail in Denville Township.
“This study will review options for replacing or rehabilitating the bridge, which was built in 1966 and provides the only access to and from Lenape Island on Indian Lake, which has 30 residences. Community involvement and public outreach are an integral part of the study,” said Morris County Commissioner Deborah Smith, who has been a resident of Denville Township for 32 years.
Throughout the process, local officials, community stakeholders and the public will have an opportunity to participate, provide input, ask questions and submit comments for consideration.
The study is the first of four phases in the federally funded project development process for transportation improvements, as required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This phase will provide the required information to determine whether the project can successfully be advanced to the Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE), Final Design (FD) and Construction phases.
The LCD Study work effort is anticipated to be completed by June 30, 2025. 
As part of the LCD Study, the Project Team has developed a Public Input Survey to obtain information about community interests in relation to the Lenape Island Bridge.
The LCD study is the first step of the project development process. This phase includes evaluation of existing conditions, development of a Purpose and Need Statement, creation and completion of an Alternatives Analysis and recommendation of a Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) for bridge improvements to advance to future phases of design and construction.
The study has been contracted by the NJTPA to a team of consulting firms, collectively known as the Michael Baker Team, led by Michael Baker International, Inc. and including AmerCom Corporation, Richard Grubb & Associates and M.A. Culbertson, LLC.
Morris County looks forward working with county residents, Denville Township and the Indian Lake Community Club on this important bridge improvement project.
If you have any questions regarding the LCD study, please contact Meghan Paccione, Morris County Project Manager and Principal Engineer - Bridges, at 973-829-8623 or LenapeIslandBridge@gmail.com.
Photo 1: South side view of Lenape Island Bridge.
Photo 2: Lenape Island Bridge gate.
Photo 3: Lenape Island Bridge girder.