LOCAL

Phase one complete for Sparta Main Street bridge replacement: Here's what's next

1-minute read

Bruce A. Scruton
New Jersey Herald

SPARTA - Replacement of the Main Street bridge has finished phase one with Newton Town Council's acceptance of work to move its watermain to make room for the new, wider bridge located in Sparta.

Newton's action came Monday and County Engineer William Koppenaal said the project will move forward with moving of overhead wires. That Phase 2 work is pending finalizing an easement required by JCP&L to be able to do the work, the engineer said. Moving of the lines is expected to begin within the month.

This file photo from 2021 shows the pedestrian bridge next to the Main Street bridge over the Wallkill River. This bridge and the main bridge are to be demolished this summer with a new bridge to be in place by year's end. The work involved moving the Town of Newton water main to make way for the new structure.

Actual demolition will begin in late July or early August and includes installation of a temporary pedestrian bridge.

Koppenaal said the replacement bridge will have new pedestrian sidewalks, eliminating the need for the current standalone bridge.

"Barring unforeseen delays which may arise during Phases 2 or 3," he said, "the bridge should be returned to service by year's end."