Retaining Wall 4/17/2021

Demolition continuous on the failed retaining wall. The entire damaged section of the wall has been removed and they have started to excavate the earth that was behind it.

Retaining Wall 4/10/2021

Here is a look a the progress on the demolition of the failed retaining wall. The worst part of the collapse has been removed.

In this picture you can see the reinforcing bars that connect to the back of the panels and extend into the earth behind it.

Direct Connect Project Update with NJDOT

Tonight a public conference call was held that organized by the Fifth Legislative District officials which included a representative from NJDOT to provide some information on the collapse and answer some questions about it and the project in general. There wasn’t a lot of new information provided in this call but there were a few interesting points.

- On March 24th, cracks were seen in the asphalt roadbed that is supported by the retaining wall. They did not have a reason to believe that this was an indicator of a potential collapse. The wall collapsed that night before they could investigate the cracks further.

- Material has been brought in to stabilize the earth in front of the wall and work has begun to demolish the damaged section to make the area safe.

- The right lane will remain closed until they area is considered safe, but this should not be a long term closure.

- The contractor, engineering firm, NJDOT engineers, as well as an independent engineering firm are currently analyzing the collapse to determine the cause.

- The impact on the timeline of the project will not be known until the cause is determined and there is a design for the re-construction.

- The Browning Road bridge re-construction is waiting on the resolution of a right-of-way issue.  Depending on the outcome of the collapse investigation, the bridge re-construction could start as early as late May.

You can see a recording of the call here:

https://fb.watch/4KBbKFKf9L/

Retaining Wall 4/5/2021

Here are a couple pictures from today of the demolition of the failed retaining wall.

Retaining Wall 4/2/2021

Work has started to stabilize and eventually repair the section of retaining wall that collapsed last week. Gravel has been put down in the area in front of the wall to stabilize the earth there. They have also begun demolishing the damaged section of the wall.