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Jun 07, 2023

Millbrook Avenue bridge in Randolph NJ reopens after repairs

The historic Millbrook Avenue bridge in Randolph is open to the public again after a 10-week closure to repair the nearly century-old structure. Township and Morris County officials cut the ribbon on

The historic Millbrook Avenue bridge in Randolph is open to the public again after a 10-week closure to repair the nearly century-old structure.

Township and Morris County officials cut the ribbon on the project Tuesday, and the bridge was officially reopened that evening. The $697,000, county-funded initiative, which began on June 19, included reconstruction of the existing stonework, drainage system improvement and waterproofing installation to prevent leaks in the structure.

"It looks beautiful – it looks just like the old bridge did," said Randolph Mayor Lou Nisivoccia said in a county news release. "For those of us who have been here a long time, it’s nice to know it fits the historical nature of the area, while also adding to modern safety."

The stone masonry arch bridge was originally built in 1930, according to county records. Water infiltration and cycles of freezing and thawing over the years displaced stones and deteriorated the overall structure, necessitating the repairs this summer.

Millbrook Avenue between Fords Road and Pierson's Hill Road was closed for the duration of the project. Sparwick Contracting Inc., of Lafayette, performed the reconstruction.

"This project was done on time and on budget in a very rainy season, so I want to thank the contractor for that," said Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw, the liaison to the county's public works department. "The county has a massive amount of infrastructure to take care of, and we understand it’s critical to our businesses and our residents."

Morris County has completed six bridge restoration projects since 2022, Shaw said, including work on the Schooley's Mountain Road bridge that reopened Aug. 1. Officials are looking to complete two more projects by the end of the year: the demolition and replacement of the Richards bridge in Dover, and the rehabilitation of a truss bridge on Roxiticus Road in Mendham Township.

Kyle Morel is a local reporter covering Morris and Sussex counties.

Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @KMorelNJH