Atlantic County Lakes Creek Bridge (EH-29)

French & Parrello Associates (FPA) successfully provided engineering services for the replacement of Atlantic County Lakes Creek Bridge (EH-29) on Somers-Point Mays Landing Road (CR 559) over Lakes Creek in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey. The original bridge, a single-span structure measuring 34 feet in length, was replaced with a wider, more resilient design. The new bridge spans 39 feet, six inches out-to-out, featuring a 36-foot roadway that accommodates two 12-foot lanes with six-foot-wide shoulders.

Given that CR 559 is classified as a Secondary Coastal Evacuation Route, the new bridge and roadway profile were elevated above the 100-year flood elevation to enhance resilience against flooding. Additionally, because Lakes Creek is part of the National Wild & Scenic River System, the bridge’s under-clearance was raised by five feet above Mean High Water, improving access for small watercraft. Addressing challenging soil conditions, grout inclusion columns were installed in the bridge approaches to support the increased roadway profile elevation. To minimize impacts on the surrounding Coastal Wetlands, the project incorporated precast concrete retaining walls and steel sheet pile walls.

In conjunction with the bridge replacement, Atlantic County also undertook the replacement of two timber box culverts, EH-26 and EH-27. These culverts were replaced with precast concrete box culverts featuring steel sheet pile wingwalls, topped with a concrete cap and four-bar steel parapet. The new culverts span 30 feet out-to-out and provide a 26-foot roadway, consisting of two 11-foot lanes with two-foot-wide shoulders. Steel sheet pile walls were again utilized to limit disturbances to the sensitive wetland environment.

Extensive utility coordination was necessary throughout the project. Although no underground utilities were present, existing overhead utilities—including electric, cable, and telephone lines—required relocation during the replacement of all three structures.

To facilitate construction, carefully planned detours were developed and implemented. For Culverts EH-26 and EH-27, detours were in place while approach roadways and the new culverts were constructed, followed by the installation of final roadway elements. Similarly, for Lakes Creek Bridge (EH-29), a detour was enacted throughout the construction of the new bridge and approach roadways. All detours adhered to NJDOT and MUTCD standards, ensuring minimal disruption and safe traffic management throughout the project.