Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge paint removal scheduled to begin on April 7
FRENCHTOWN BROOUGH, NJ (Hunterdon County) – The noisiest aspect of the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Toll-Supported Bridge Rehabilitation Project is expected to begin next week and continue for several months, according to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
The project contractor is in the throes of completing paint and debris containment measures on the bridge’s first two spans from the New Jersey side. This preparatory step for blast cleaning of the bridge’s steel work is expected to be finished by Saturday – weather permitting.
To remove the bridge’s current paint coatings, sandblasting of the enshrouded New Jersey-side trusses is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, April 7. To carry out this work, two pieces of noisy equipment will be positioned near both ends of the bridge.
On the New Jersey side, a vacuum dust collector will be positioned near the bridge monitor’s shelter. This will be a temporary location for this equipment. Once the two New Jersey-side spans get cleaned and repainted, this equipment will be moved to the bridge’s less-populated Pennsylvania side.
The noisiest equipment for the paint-removal process will be a recycler. This piece of equipment separates dislodged paint chips and dust from the blast shot used in the removal process. The recycler will be positioned at the bridge’s Pennsylvania approach and remain there for several months.
Paint removal is expected to be conducted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Under terms of the project contract, the work is permitted to be extended to 8 p.m. if deemed necessary by the project team.
The project remains on scheduled at this time. The bridge continues to carry New Jersey-bound traffic 24/7. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania-bound traffic is detoured via the Upper Black Eddy-Milford Toll-Supported 3.3 miles upstream. The bridge’s walkway remains closed until further notice.
