BRANCHBURG – For years, the future of the River Road bridge over NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line near North Branch Station has been a worry for township officials.

The narrow, rickety wooden bridge is a popular shortcut between routes 202 and 22. Though there is a 4-ton weight limit, trucks still tried to brave the crossing.

If the bridge is closed, the link between the highways will be broken with possibly detours onto neighborhood roads.

The future is now. The bridge was closed Wednesday afternoon, just before the afternoon rush hour.

Though the township announced on Monday that the bridge was closed, the bridge was open on Tuesday and Wednesday morning and it was closed on Wednesday afternoon, giving township officials little time to prepare a detour.

In a statement, township officials said they expected the state Department of Transportation (DOT) would wait until later in the week to close the bridge. That, the statement said, would have allowed "proper notification" for motorists to find alternate routes.

"The township is doing the best we can with the short notice to get signage out with these roadway changes," the township statement said. "We will have extra police presence in the area."

Miller Avenue is now one-way from River Road to Station Road. Central Place will be one-way from Station Road to River Road. "Neither of these roads could safely handle two-way traffic, especially at rush-hour volumes," the statement said.

River Road starting at Miller Avenue to Central Place will be one-way for southbound traffic.

The DOT is working to install signs that direct truck traffic away from the local roads.

"This current scenario is exactly what we have been working to avoid for years now," the statement said.

Township officials had a scheduled June 11 meeting with the DOT and NJ Transit to ask for the replacement of the bridge.

"We hope those responsible for the bridge will take swift action to begin the replacement process," the statement said.

At the beginning of year, Mayor Anna Columbus said the future of the bridge was a "priority" and that township would be working with the state and Somerset County on options for the bridge.

READ:Hillsborough, Branchburg bridge replacement subject of public meeting

"How do we put in a new bridge? " the mayor said. "Can we negotiate for a new bridge?"

A routine state inspection of the bridge found the structure in "poor condition," according to Steve Schapiro, deputy director of communications for the state Department of Transportation (DOT).

"To ensure the safety of the travelling public, it requires an emergency closure," Schapiro wrote in an email.

The future of the bridge — whether it will be repaired, replaced or abandoned — has not been determined.

"The DOT is working with the town, county, and NJ Transit to evaluate the next steps," Schapiro said.

The township has pledged to keep residents informed about the future of the bridge.

"We understand the frustration you are feeling as we are feeling it also," the township wrote in its statement.

Staff Writer Mike Deak is a Branchburg native. He can be reached at 908-243-6607 or mdeak@mycentraljersey.com