New bridge connects Marlboro to Aberdeen Former span was a narrow structure that dated back to 1910 BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent ERIC SUCAR staff The county has opened the new and improved Wilson Avenue Bridge for traffic. The span connects Marlboro and Aberdeen over Matawan Brook. ABERDEEN - Local and county officials gathered June 28 for a ribbon- cutting to dedicate a newly reconstructed bridge connecting Aberdeen and Marlboro at Wilson Avenue and Ticetown Road over the Matawan Brook. The old bridge had been closed since December. The primary goal in building the bridge was to provide a safer trip over the brook than has previously existed. The old structure was built in 1910 and constructed of wood, which was conducive to the traffic of that time, but not the traffic of 2007. The bridge was also so narrow that it was only a single lane bridge prior to the reconstruction, according to Rod Lewis, an employee from HNTB Corp. who worked as the construction inspector on the bridge. "Why wait for the accident to happen?" Lewis said. "Why not be proactive and fix it now, instead of being retroactive after the accident happens?" In place of the old and damaged wooden surface of the bridge, a modern structure with concrete was put in to provide a safe commute for motorists. Marlboro Mayor Robert Kleinberg, who was in attendance, said that the primary concern was safety for those going over the bridge. "The biggest advantage to this new bridge is that parents with children in the car can see what is coming in front of them when they turn over the bridge," Kleinberg said. "The bridge was done in the 1900s so it was built for that time period, but now it is ready for this time." Prior to the reconstruction, the bridge did not meet weight requirements and the width of the bridge was substandard. These problems have been removed, as stones have been put into where the old bridge used to be. The bridge is now two lanes which will allow an easier flow of traffic on an everyday basis. There is currently not a constant flow of traffic across the span, commonly referred to as the Wilson Avenue Bridge. The primary motorists who go over it will be commuters heading to the train in the morning and afternoon after rush hour, according to Kleinberg. It is still possible to see the wood foundations of where the old bridge was. These foundations make the dangers of the old bridge evident, said Rich Lally, an engineer from HNTB. The new bridge cost $1.5 million and was built by Marbro Inc., of Montclair, according to a press release. Among those officials in attendance were Freeholder Director William C. Barham who stood in the middle of those cutting the ribbon to open the bridge. "Safety is our paramount concern," Barham said in a press release. "I'm glad we are able to do these upgrades so that motorists will have a safer driving experience on this road." Aberdeen Township Manager Stuart Brown was happy about the reconstruction of the bridge, although he mentioned that no officials from Aberdeen were invited to the ceremony. "We are definitely in favor of the bridge," Brown said in a phone interview. "It improves traffic safety and flow, all the obvious things that would come along with a new bridge."