MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders officially reopened the new Bray Avenue Bridge (MT-2) over Pews Creek in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown to traffic this morning.

“Residents and commuters in the Port Monmouth area are elated to have this bridge reopened,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “Reopening Bray Avenue Bridge is another step forward in Superstorm Sandy recovery and I commend our federal partners and Middletown officials for working with the County to get this bridge rebuilt.”

The bridge opening marks the installation of a new pile-supported bridge with a pedestrian sidewalk, guiderail, drainage improvements and the reconstruction of approach roadways. The new bridge is constructed of 12” diameter concrete-filled steel piles with concrete footings, a precast concrete arch structure and permanent steel sheeting walls.

The contractor for this project was the Lucas Construction Group, Inc. of Morganville. The project had a total contract amount of $2,022,395. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse the County for 90 percent of the rebuilding of the bridge.

“The tidal surge from Superstorm Sandy overtopped the original bridge and advanced its deteriorating condition significantly. This led to the permanent closure of the old bridge in October 2012,” said Arnone. “We then sought federal funding to help defray the expense of replacing the damaged bridge damaged by the natural disaster.”

Monmouth County officials met with FEMA officials in June 2013 to discuss details and provide repair and replacement estimates on the Bray Avenue Bridge.

“Credit for the 90 percent reimbursement goes to our Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM),” said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to OEM. “Our original reimbursement application to FEMA was denied, but OEM worked with the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management/Public Assistance Unit on the review and the approval of documents before resubmission to FEMA.”

Congressmen Chris Smith and Frank Pallone notified the County in March 2015 about the release of the funds.

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