County outlines bridge replacement schedule for Berry Road and reviews safety signage on Route 515

The Sussex County Division of Engineering reported plans and timelines for two transportation projects during the Feb. 13 county meeting.

The division said it is finalizing plans to replace Bridge X20 over Berry Road in Wantage with a two-lane, 20-foot-span glulam timber superstructure on precast modular concrete abutments. Materials procurement will occur in the coming months, preliminary demolition and a stream diversion will follow permit restrictions from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection intended to protect threatened and endangered species, and full work is expected to resume in summer or early fall. The county estimated project completion and reopening of the roadway likely in late 2025 or spring 2026, contingent on material availability, NJDEP permit restrictions, emergent needs and weather.

The division also discussed a longstanding safety focus on County Route 515, a heavily traveled corridor with a long downhill grade approaching Vernon Town Center. The county noted that, in response to operational safety concerns, a 4-ton commercial weight restriction was authorized for the segment in 1979 and that traffic signs, advisory signage and a previously authorized 20 mph truck speed limit (1975 authorization) are under review.

Officials said the division met with Vernon and Hardystown township staff to assess the current regulatory and advisory sign system and will update existing signs in consideration of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and current standards. The division added the sign review to its traffic-safety work program and will identify opportunities to enhance the sign system to provide clearer guidance to roadway users.

What’s next: Construction scheduling, procurement and permitting steps are in progress; engineering staff will coordinate work windows to comply with NJDEP permit restrictions and will return to the board with updates as the project advances.