County engineer details resurfacing, bridge schedules; Marshallville bridge demolition set for next week

At the Sept. 9 meeting the county engineer reported a series of road and bridge projects across Cape May County, including start dates for resurfacing and timelines for bridge replacement work. Key updates: Resurfacing of Mill Road in Upper Township was slated to begin the day after the meeting and expected to take one week, followed by a week for guardrail replacement and driveway reconstructions. In Lower Township, resurfacing of Townbank Road and Phase 2 of Fishing Creek Road was tentatively scheduled for the week of Sept. 15. Other projects named were Magnolia Drive and Phase 2 of East Creek Mill Road and Seashore Road resurfacing. Final paving at the Park & Zoo was scheduled to begin Oct. 27. Bridge work: Encasement work on the Avalon Canal Bridge was reported to be near completion in approximately two weeks. Demolition of Marshallville Road Bridge in Upper Township was scheduled for next week; the replacement bridge is being prefabricated off site and expected to be delivered in early November. Middle Thorofare Bridge: Commissioner Morey asked about the timeline for the Middle Thorofare Bridge; the engineer said the project is in preliminary engineering and permitting, which will last roughly two years, followed by a final engineering phase estimated at 1.5 to 2 years. Public safety and enforcement: Director Desiderio thanked Middle Township’s mayor and police chief for stepped-up enforcement on Avalon Boulevard; the engineer said an RFP related to the Avalon Boulevard issue was expected to be posted within the next week. What this means: Several short-term resurfacing projects are imminent, and longer-term bridge projects — notably Middle Thorofare — are in early design and permitting stages and will likely take several years to complete.