NEW BRUNSWICK- The Landing Lane bridge over the Delaware & Raritan Canal will be replaced in three years.

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public meeting on the project 6 to 8 p.m. May 7 in the New Brunswick City Council Chambers, 78 Bayard St.

The DOT tentatively says construction will start in June 2022 and will be completed by June 2023.

The bridge, one of the heavily traveled links between New Brunswick and Piscataway, is in "poor condition." The bridge has one lane of travel in each direction with no shoulders and a 5-foot timber sidewalk.

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A full detour will be required during the project because a temporary bridge for vehicles cannot be built because of environmentally sensitive areas near the canal.

However, to accommodate pedestrians, a temporary bridge will be constructed, said the DOT, who is coordinating that part of the project with Rutgers University and other stakeholders.

The new bridge will be designed to "maintain the visual and aesthetic value" of the D&R Canal State Park with girders that look like the existing girders.

The new bridge will be wider with two 11-foot lanes, two 1-foot shoulders and a 6-foot walkway. The DOT is working on the design with the D&R Canal Commission, D&R Canal State Park and the state's Historic Preservation Office. The final design phase of the project will start in October.

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At the meeting, DOT representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the project and discuss any concerns.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interesting in learning about the project, contact the DOT at 908-963-1982 or email Meredith.Hammond@dot.nj.gov.

The bridge over the canal leads to the Landing Bridge over the Raritan River, which was built in 1895. The span over the Raritan River was replaced in 1995.

About 40,000 vehicles a day travel over the bridge.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com