Newark – Work has begun. Just after 9 a.m. this morning work crews began closing the “Bridge over Cool Run”, located on Old Newark Road. The bridge replacement project will keep the Brookside road closed to auto traffic until mid-summer, according to a statement released by DelDOT.
Pedestrians and cyclist will have access to the existing sidewalk and later to a temporary walking path, that is to be constructed, said Ronald Charest of Century Engineering.
Charest said that in the initial stages of the closure, crews will remove trees and debris to allow pedestrians better access to the sidewalk. Thirty-five to forty trees will be removed, added Charest.
Additional work will include utility relocations, minor reconstruction of the roadway approach and sidewalk, installation of guardrail as needed, placement of riprap in the stream to prevent further erosion, drainage improvements, and additional landscaping.
Once the temporary walking path is constructed the existing sidewalk will be closed for improvements. The sidewalk will be widened, improved and made ADA compliant, according to Charest.
DelDOT said that the contractor, A-Del Construction will be closing Old Newark Road (Bridge over Cool Run) between Greenbridge Drive and Millbrook Road, southeast of Newark. The closure is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 27 until 3 p.m. on Friday, July 14, pending weather.
Crews will spend the next few weeks preparing the work site, staging equipment, inspecting the site and installing the temporary walking path. Heavy construction to replace the existing corrugated metal pipes with a precast concrete frame will begin in about four weeks, said Charest.
Detour Route:
Motorists traveling east of Old Newark Road will be directed to Marrows Road south to Route 4/Chestnut Hill Road eastbound and return to Old Newark Road.
Motorists traveling west on Old Newark Road will be directed south on Old Newark Road to Route 4/Chestnut Hill Road westbound to Marrows Road.
Pedestrians will be directed to a temporary path next to the project.
Detour signage will be posted for motorists.