PowerPoint Presentation · • Over a dozen marinas and fisheries • Restaurants • Residential areas Local Officials, include: • Mayors • Council Members • Freeholders

COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGOCEAN DRIVE (CR 621) UPGRADES AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTSLOCAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT STUDY

April 2018

SOUTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATIONCAPE MAY COUNTY

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WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

PROJECT TEAM• South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization• Cape May County• New Jersey Department of Transportation • Cape May County Bridge Commission• Michael Baker International Team

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PROJECT LOCATION – TWO MILE BRIDGE

MillCreekBridge

UpperThorofareBridge

MiddleThorofareBridge

MP 0.00

MP 2.75

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Land uses include: • Wetlands throughout the study area• Over a dozen marinas and fisheries• Restaurants• Residential areas

Local Officials, include:• Mayors• Council Members• Freeholders• Police, Fire, Public Safety and OEM• Planning and Engineering Departments

From:• Cape May County• Cape May County Bridge Commission • Cape May City• Lower Township• City of Wildwood• Wildwood Crest

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Local Capital Project Delivery Program

Ocean Drive Causeway Needs:• Community Input• Existing Conditions• Project Purpose & Need

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PROJECT DELIVERY PROCESS

Local Concept Development

Local Preliminary Engineering

Final Design Construction

Data Collection and Environmental Screening Report

Final Purpose and Need Statement

Alternatives Development

Selection of Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA)

Concept Development Report

Preliminary Design Plans

Cost Estimates (Final Design, Right of Way & Construction)

Approved Project Plan

Approved Design Exception Report

Approved Environmental Document

Preliminary Engineering Report

Final Design Plans

Environmental Reevaluations

Environmental Permits

Acquisition of Right of Way

Construction Contract Documents, and Plans, Specs. & Estimates

Completed Construction

As-Builts

Close-out Documentation

Approximately 2 years Approximately 2 years Approximately 2 years Design Dependent

Fall2017

Spring2018

Summer2018

Fall2018

Spring2019

Duration

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STAKEHOLDER AND PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS

DURING LOCAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Meeting #1 (Today)Provide Information Obtained During Data Collection and Obtain Public Input. Obtain feedback about who is currently using the causeway, what modes of transportation are being used, and what issues the Project Team should be aware of when developing alternatives.

Meeting #2 (Summer 2018)Present Alternatives Developed and Obtain Public Input on the Alternatives. Feedback obtained will be used to help determine which Alternative to select as the Preliminary Preferred Alternative.

Meeting #3 (Fall 2018)Present Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA).

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2. Document Existing Conditions and Develop Purpose & Need Statement – Winter 2017/2018

1. Data Collection – Fall 2017

3. Develop Alternatives – Spring 2018

4. Analyze Alternatives – Summer 2018

5. Select PPA, Develop Plans, Documentation – Fall 2018

• Conduct Data Collection• Identify Right of Way• Identify Stakeholders• Develop Public Involvement Action Plan

LOCAL CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PHASE

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• Evaluate Deficiencies• Utilities• Geotechnical• Stormwater Management• Traffic - Marine and Vehicular• Structural• Identify Substandard Design Elements

• Identify Resources• Environmental Screenings• Historic Landmarks• Parklands• Constraints Mapping• Potential Users

• Existing Conditions Documentation• Local Officials Meeting• Stakeholder Coordination Meeting• Public Information Center• Identify Future Demands or Needs• Purpose and Need Statement






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• Development of Alternatives






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• Alternatives Analysis & Documentation• Local Officials Meeting• Stakeholder Coordination Meeting• Public Information Center• Inter-Agency Review Committee Meeting






Analysis includes avoidance, minimization and mitigation of impacts from the proposed alternatives

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• Select Preliminary Preferred Alternative• Preliminary Preferred Alternative Cost Estimate • Local Officials Meeting• Stakeholder Coordination Meeting• Public Information Center• Obtain Resolutions of Support• Concept Development Report






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EXISTING CONDITIONS REVIEW

• Ocean Drive and its bridges were constructed in 1939 and have been repaired and rehabilitated since the original construction.

• Important evacuation route for southern end of The Wildwoods.

• Consists of two Cape May County-owned bridges and one Cape May County Bridge Commission-owned bridge.

• Three main bridges on the causeway:

• Mill Creek Bridge

• Upper Thorofare Bridge

• Middle Thorofare

• Culvert located near Fish Dock Road

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway

Utilities, ITS, Roadway Lighting

Environmental Screening

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BRIDGE INFORMATION

All three bridges were originally constructed in 1939.

Condition Mill Creek Upper Thorofare Middle Thorofare

Bridge Sufficiency

(out of 100)47.3

(Functionally Obsolete)

34(Structurally Deficient)

7(Functionally Obsolete)*

Superstructure

(scale of 1-9)5

(Fair)

5(Fair)

4(Poor)

Deck

(scale of 1-9)5

(Fair)

5(Fair)

6(Satisfactory)

Substructure

(scale of 1-9)5

(Fair)

4(Poor)

4(Poor)

Inspection Year 2016 2016 2015

* Middle Thorofare Bridge is Functionally Obsolete, due to inability to carry loads greater than 15 tons. Originally built to carry loads of 17.5 tons.

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BRIDGE TERMS

• Abutment

• Deck

• Efflorescence

• Functionally Obsolete

• Pier

• Scour

• Spalling

• Structurally Deficient

• Superstructure

• Substructure

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MILL CREEK BRIDGE - DECK

• FAIR (Inventory Rating = 5)

• Light to moderate scaling on all spans

• Shallow spalling on the top and underside of several spans

• Cracking with asphalt patches on deck top

• Reinforcement is exposed and rusted throughout

• Joint Material is debonded, protruding and deteriotated

• Bridge railing is deteriorated and substandard

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MILL CREEK BRIDGE - SUPERSTRUCTURE


• Spalling on beams of several spans

• Exposed reinforcement in all spans

• Concrete T-beams exhibit cracking and

spalling

• Reinforcement is exposed and rusted

throughout

• Diaphragms have cracks and

efflorescence

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MILL CREEK BRIDGE - SUBSTRUCTURE

• FAIR (Inventory Rating = 5)• Undermining along both abutments• Severe scaling and deteriorated repair

jackets at Piers 5, 8 and 9 from the south• North abutment apron is undermined• Extensive cracking and spalling on the west

end of the north abutment breastwall• South abutment is undermined throughout• Wingwalls have cracks• Pile caps have several areas of cracks and

efflorescence• Ends of caps have medium to wide cracks• Several piles have been repaired with steel

jackets which exhibit rust

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UPPER THOROFARE BRIDGE - DECK


• Light to moderate surface scaling

• Shallow spalling

• Joint material in armored and non-

armored joints deteriorated

• Bridge railing is deteriorated and

substandard for strength and

geometry and in poor condition

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UPPER THOROFARE BRIDGE - SUPERSTRUCTURE


• Concrete T-beams have wide cracks

• Efflorescence at bearing locations

• Exposed reinforcement in all spans

• Bottoms of beams are spalled in several

locations

• Diaphragms have cracks and

efflorescence

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UPPER THOROFARE BRIDGE - SUBSTRUCTURE

• POOR (Inventory Rating = 4)• Light to severe scaling• Cracks and efflorescence on wingwalls• Fine to wide cracks with efflorescence

and spalling on breastwall• Cracks on backwall• Undermining of the north abutment • Deteriorated and missing grout• Scour Critical

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MIDDLE THOROFARE BRIDGE - DECK

• SATISFACTORY (Inventory Rating = 6)

• Concrete deck has wide cracks and

spalls on top and bottom surfaces

• Dried out and missing deck joints

• Bridge railing is severely deteriorated

and substandard for strength and

geometry

• The movable span deck was replaced

in 1992 and is in good condition

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MIDDLE THOROFARE BRIDGE - SUPERSTRUCTURE

• POOR (Inventory Rating = 4)

• Holes, vessel collision damage on

bascule spans and arrested section

loss on steel girders

• Bearings exhibit severe pack rust

• Stringers on the approach span exhibit

100% local section loss on the bottom

flange

• Numerous diaphragms with severe

section loss

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MIDDLE THOROFARE BRIDGE - SUBSTRUCTURE

• POOR (Inventory Rating = 4)• Large spalls and wide cracking on pier

columns• Severely deteriorated fender system• Precast concrete piles were repaired at

several locations with concrete jackets• Sleeves on piles are heavily

deteriorated with reinforcing cage exposed

• East pile of Pier 7 has heavy collision damage and has been supplemented with two steel H-piles

• Main piers and timber fender systems are in poor condition

• Scour Critical

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ON-GOING MAINTENANCE

• Bridge Railing Upgrades

• Addition of EZ-Pass

• Any Necessary Repairs

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Automatic Traffic Recorders (ATRs) were installed at three locations along the corridor:

Mill Creek Bridge• Peak Season = N/A• Off-Peak Season = 2,207 vehicles per day (vpd)

Upper Thorofare Bridge• Peak Season = 9,898 vpd• Off-Peak Season = 1,990 vpd

Middle Thorofare Bridge• Peak Season = 9,901 vpd• Off-Peak Season = 1,720 vpd

Turning Movement Counts (TMCs) conducted at the intersection of NJ 109 and Ocean Drive (CR 621)

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



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Peak Hours along Ocean Drive

Peak SeasonAM Peak Hour 8:00 – 9:00 AM 618 vehiclesPM Peak Hour 4:45 – 5:45 PM 1,376 vehiclesSaturday Peak 12:00 – 1:00 PM 1,488 vehicles

Off-Peak SeasonAM Peak Hour 7:45 – 8:45 AM 554 vehiclesPM Peak Hour 3:45 – 4:45 PM 623 vehiclesSaturday Peak 12:15 – 1:15 PM 526 vehicles

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



Peak season volumes are more than double during the PM and Saturday peaks.

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Marine Traffic• Bridge Opening Data 2015 – 2017

• Seasonal Peak - Memorial Day to Labor Day

• Seasonal Peak accounts for 60% of openings

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



2015 2016 2017 Average

Total: 5,223 5,642 5,203 5,356

Off Peak: 1,898 2,446 2,050 2,131

Peak: 3,325 3,196 3,153 3,225

Peak % 64% 57% 61% 60%

Bridge Openings (per year)

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Traffic Operations

• Level of Service (LOS) analyses conducted for the

intersection of NJ 109 and Ocean Drive

• Traffic operates at acceptable LOS during the Off-Peak

Non-Motorized Activity

• Pedestrians and bicyclists not observed during TMCs

(December, 2017)

• Bicyclists, including employees in the fishing, restaurant

and hotel industries, use Ocean Drive for commuting

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



*Additional traffic data will be collected during the Summer of 2018*

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Traffic Safety and Crash Review• 2014-2016 NJDOT data

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



Crash Type Total # of Crashes Percentage

Same Direction – Rear End 8 25.8%

Fixed Object 11 35.5%

Right Angle 3 9.7%

Opposite Direction - Sideswipe 3 9.7%

Other 2 6.5%

Non-Fixed Object 1 3.2%

Left Turn/U-Turn 1 3.2%

Same Direction - Sideswipe 1 3.2%

Struck Parked Vehicle 1 3.2%

TOTAL 31 100.0%

Project Segment MilepostShoulder

present?

Crash

Rate

State-wide Crash

Rate (2016) *

NJ 109 to Mill Creek Bridge 0.00 - 0.80 Yes 1.41 3.90

Mill Creek Bridge 0.80 - 0.85 No 9.03 2.64

Mill Creek Bridge to Upper Thorofare Bridge 0.85 - 1.30 Yes 1.50 3.90

Upper Thorofare Bridge 1.30 - 1.36 No 11.29 2.64

Upper Thorofare Bridge to Middle Thorofare Bridge 1.36 - 1.70 Yes 2.66 3.90

Middle Thorofare Bridge 1.70 - 1.88 No 8.78 2.64

Middle Thorofare Bridge to Madison Avenue 1.88 - 2.75 Yes 1.82 3.90

* Source: NJDOT Crash Rates by Cross Section Geometryfor State and Interstate Routes (2006-2016). County RouteCrash rates by Cross Section Geometry are not available.

Crashes at the bridges are higher than the state-wide crash rate

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• Classified as Rural Minor Arterial

• Urban Minor Arterial east of Fish Dock Road

• Cape May County jurisdiction

• Posted speed limits vary

• Travel way 24’ on pavement, 20’ wide on bridges

• Shoulders vary from 0’ to 16’ wide

• Lack of shoulders on bridges restricts sight distances

• Susceptible to flooding due to low elevation

• Substandard horizontal curves at the southern and

northern study limits

• Vertical curve at the Middle Thorofare Bridge

• Toll booth on the Middle Thorofare Bridge

• No dedicated pedestrian or bicycle facilities within the

study area

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



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Inventory of Regulated Resources:• Cultural resources• Parklands• Sensitive receptors to air and noise• Wetlands• Surface water resources• Floodplains• Protected habitat and species• Hazardous materials• Community facilities• Socioeconomics• Historic Landmarks• Environmental justice communities

Federal Authorizations identified

State Permits/Approval/Coordination identified

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



Purpose of the Environmental Screening:Identify fatal flaws that would prevent the project from advancing to construction.Identify resources for which impacts should be considered as part of the alternatives analysis.

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Utilities with facilities within the project limits:

• Atlantic City Electric

• South Jersey Gas

• Verizon

• Comcast

• Township of Lower Municipal Utilities – Water

• Township of Lower Municipal Utilities – Sanitary Sewer

Traffic Data

Structural

Roadway



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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Public Outreach Approach is ITERATIVE

Present initial concepts

Stakeholder feedback

Concept refinement

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PURPOSE AND NEED

“The LCD Phase involves drafting a well-defined and well-justified Purpose & Need Statement focusing on the primary transportation need to be addressed.”

Community Outreach

Data Collection

ConceptualAlternative Selection

Environmental Resources

Purpose &Need

Statement

The Purpose & Need Statement will be used to develop and evaluate potential roadway and bridge alternatives.

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NEXT STEPS

• Finalize Purpose & Need Statement(Spring 2018)

• Develop Alternatives(Spring 2018): • No Build• Rehabilitation• Build - In Place• Build - New Alignment

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NEXT STEPS

Public Information Center #1Wildwood CrestMay 3rd 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM)(Presentation at 2:30 PM)

Crest Pier Recreational Center5800 Ocean Avenue

Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260

Public Information Center #1Cape MayMay 3rd 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM)(Presentation at 6:30 PM)

Cape May City Hall Auditorium643 Washington Street

Cape May, NJ 08204

Stakeholders Meeting #2

SUMMER 2018

Alternatives Presentation

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NEXT STEPSProject website launch NOW!

https://capemaytwomilebridge.com/

https://capemaytwomilebridge.com/

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DISCUSSION

Questions and Comments