County to replace Passaic St. bridge

OGDENSBURG — Sussex County plans to construct a new bridge to take the place of the Passaic Street Bridge, Mayor Steve Ciasullo reported at the Ogdensburg Council meeting May 11.

The initial projected cost for the Passaic Bridge is $1.2 million. The county applied for a $1 million grant called the "Local Bridges Future Needs Program" to the Department of Transportation, and the rest will come out of Sussex County Capital funds.

Construction should begin next year in June. The new bridge, which connects Ogdensburg and Franklin, should be finished in four to six months, and a detour is planned.

Currently the Passaic Bridge is a single-lane, 85-year-old bridge, which will be expanded to a full two-lane bridge. The new bridge should last 85-100 years.

Ciasullo said the bridge is save, and there is nothing worry about right now.

There will possibly be hunter green guard rails, a light at each end, and stones to match the nearby tunnel. The bridge also will be set up with a sidewalk, as part of a Safe Route to School Plan.

Ogdensburg will need to issue an easement for the county to maintain the bridge; and Jersey Central Power and Light will maintain the wiring. Poles also will need to be moved back.

Ciasullo met with county representatives and engineers to talk about the bridge plans.

"Everybody knew what they were talking about," Ciasullo said. "It was a very good meeting."