New Bridge Proposed Over Route 22 In Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Transportation is proposing a bridge replacement for a "structurally deficient existing bridge" in Union County.

The project, known as the Route 22 Bridge over Echo Lake, will be located in Mountainside. According to the Borough, the project limits on Route 22 are from mile post 50.65 to mile post 50.80.

According to NJDOT, the existing bridge was constructed in 1929 as a single-span, simply-supported bridge with concrete encased steel beams and a reinforced concrete deck. Currently, the bridge has tow travel lanes in each direction and has a speed limit of 44mph.

Echo Lake Park is located adjacent to the bridge on its south side.

The proposed bridge will match the existing alignment, and the existing right shoulder on the bridge will be widened. The existing wing walls will also be replaced and the pavement will be resurfaced.

NJDOT says the median U-turn (Ramp OR) located immediately west of the bridge will be closed during construction. This U-turn is located in an area with a crash rate that is 2.5 times greater than the statewide average, according to NJDOT, and it is anticipated to be closed permanently.

Construction is expected to start in November of this year and finish in Nov. 2024.

For more information, you can visit the Mountainside website or NJDOT.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected].