Hooper Avenue Overpass to Close for Repairs

The overpass across Hooper Avenue connecting county buildings on the west with the five-level parking garage on the east will be closed for $1 million in repairs this summer, but county officials are differing on how to get people across the busy street.

Freeholder John P. Kelly sees no need to have a sheriff’s officer directing traffic when jurors, litigants, and others arrive in the morning and leave the old courthouse and the new Justice Complex in the evening.

He pointed to a traffic signal at Washington Street and Hooper Avenue, and two crosswalks near the overpass that are guarded by yellow lights in the street that are triggered by sensors whenever anyone walks toward them.

“Why pay a sheriff’s officer or police officers when we have lighted crosswalks?’’ Kelly said yesterday, reacting to a plan to do just that.

William Santos, director of the county’s Department of Buildings and Grounds, and county Administrator Carl W. Block defended the plan, with Block calling it “a matter of being cautious.’’

“If it’s not needed we can back off,’’ Block said.

Santos said Undersheriff Wayne Rupert had agreed to use an officer to direct traffic during peak crossing times, as had been the case years ago. The officer will be available because one of the metal detector screening stations will be closed while the overpass is being repaired, freeing up three officers, Santos explained.

With lanes of traffic being closed and more people trying to cross the street in the absence of the overpass, he backed the use of the officer. Superior Court Assignment Judge Vincent Grasso also asked for someone at the crossings that will be used by judges, he said.

Kelly remained unconvinced. “How old are the judges, 14?’’ he asked.

Santos said the overpass is “structurally sound,’’ but a 2009 inspection revealed some problems with bricks and mortar coming loose, the need to replace the cork flooring, the cupola and make other improvements.

“There will be some inconvenience,’’ during the 21 weeks the work is expected to take, he explained.

Bids will be sought March 23, with a contract for the work to be awarded May 4.

“We don’t anticipate problems,’’ dealing with the need to close lanes to traffic while work goes on overhead. The county’s Website will be used to update drivers on lane closures, he said. Toms River police officials have also been involved in planning for the work.

“It’s a very labor intensive project,’’ Santos said.