Monmouth County Kicks Off Two-Year Route 54 Bridge Replacement Project

Work started today on the Route 54 bridge over Swimming River Reservoir. The project spans between Colts Neck and Middletown Townships in New Jersey. Traffic will squeeze into one lane during the two-year construction.

"For the replacement of Bridge A-38, construction is expected to begin on or about Oct. 6 and continue for two years, but Phalanx Road will remain open throughout construction and a temporary traffic pattern will utilize one lane of traffic," said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, according to Patch.

Cars will keep moving across the bridge during most of the work. Workers will shift traffic to different sections as they tackle each part of the structure.

A full shutdown hits in late summer or early fall 2026. Drivers must then wind through a detour using County Route 520, County Route 50, County Route 537, and Laird Road for 90 days.

This marks the second major bridge fix in the area since June. That's when work kicked off on the Swimming River Road span, which crosses the Swimming River near Tinton Falls in Lincroft.

The Swimming River Road project will also stretch two years. Traffic keeps flowing while crews work.

The county maintains a vast network: 1,000 lane miles of roads. This web includes 980 bridges and culverts, plus 250 traffic signals and warning lights.

"We remind drivers in the area to follow all posted signs during construction. Temporary changes to traffic patterns may also occur, so please stay alert while driving in the area," Arnone said, per The Monmouth Journal.

Officials want drivers to mind construction signs and stick to marked detours. Updates about traffic shifts will come throughout the work ahead.