South Middlebush Road Reopens, Township Residents Rejoice

Traffic stops temporarily Sept. 1 as final debris is removed from the work site on South Middlebush Road, minutes after the road’s reopening.

South Middlebush Road was reopened on Sept. 1, to the apparent delight of many township residents.

A part of the road was closed June 28 for a complete bridge replacement over the Six Mile Run.

The project, managed by Somerset County, was projected to cost about $745,000, and necessitated the closure of the road between Jacques and Skillmans lanes.

The contract had until Sept. 8 to finish the project, according to Somerset County engineer Matthew Loper. There were incentives built into the contract for early completion, he said.

News of the road’s reopening, which occurred just before 5 p.m., was greeted with joy by residents commenting on the Franklin Reporter & Advocate’s Facebook page.

“Praise the Lord!!!” wrote Stacie Zaneto Oliveri. She was joined in her sentiment by Diane Forino, who wrote, simpy, “Hallelujah!”

“Indeed it is, so glad” wrote Lara Phillips, and Annie Walsh summed up her feelings thusly: “Never been so excited about something!”

There is still some work to be done on the 400-foot-long span, and county officials caution drivers to be cognizant of workers on the road.

The road’s reopening comes about a week before the scheduled closing of the Queen’s Bridge between South Bound Brook and Bound Brook. The span is expected to be closed for two months for superstructure repair.

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