Officials from Bergen and Passaic County joined local, state, and federal representatives to cut the ribbon on the new Fair Lawn Avenue Bridge Monday.
The project, which connects Fair Lawn in Bergen County to Paterson in Passaic County, was completed with federal funding from the NJTPA.
“This project would not have been possible without the support of the NJTPA’s Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which has provided federal funding for every phase of work, from initial planning through construction, making this project virtually 100 percent federally funded,” said Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, Chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees.
He said the new bridge would improve safety and make travel more efficient for residents of Passaic and Bergen counties and the larger region.
“This bridge is just one example of how Passaic County works with the NJTPA and our local elected officials to put federal dollars to work planning and delivering infrastructure improvements,” he said.
Chairman Bartlett noted that Passaic County has two other projects going through the program, the Sixth Avenue Bridge in Paterson, Prospect Park and Hawthorne, and the Main Avenue Corridor in the City of Passaic. In addition, the NJTPA has allocated more than $40 million for safety improvements throughout the county.
Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, who also serves on the NJTPA Board, thanked Passaic County for taking the lead on the project. The counties share ownership and maintenance of the bridge.
“We appreciate the work that was done by all of the folks involved in making this bridge come to fruition, whether it was the funding, whether it was the advocating on behalf of the funds, or whether it was the engineering and the construction putting this together, I say thank you so much,” Mr. Tedesco said.
He also recognized the economic impact the new bridge will have on the region, making it easier for residents to access businesses on both sides of the river.
“That’s why we’re here today, to make sure business survives and thrives, and people’s quality of life is as best as they can get it here in Bergen and Passaic counties, and that we’re committed to making sure the safety of the people that move through the two counties is paramount,” he said.
Congressman Bill Pascrell noted that the original bridge was built in 1905 and was in dire need of replacement. He said it’s one of hundreds of bridges across the state that will benefit from increased federal infrastructure funding.
“By fixing our bridges, we’re enhancing our competitiveness, creating jobs and making America more sustainable, more resilient, fairer,” he said. “We know there are more bridges that need fixing, but today is an example of how the government can get things done when all levels are working and pushing in the same direction,” he said.
