County outlines schedule to complete Libertyville Road bridge rehabilitation and restore two‑lane traffic on Maple Avenue

The Sussex County Department of Engineering and Planning updated commissioners on two road projects during the May 14 meeting: rehabilitation of the County Route 650 (Libertyville Road) bridge in Montague and a plan to restore two‑lane operations on County Route 521 (Maple Avenue) in Stillwater.

Department staff reported the Libertyville Road bridge project (County Bridge X30 on Libertyville Road/CR‑650) remains closed with a posted detour and is on schedule for an early June completion. The department said repaving of CR‑650 between Route 23 and CR‑519 will follow shortly after bridge work finishes.

Nut graf: For Maple Avenue (a portion of CR‑521), the department described emergency temporary traffic measures put in place in late 2023 because of retaining‑wall and pond safety issues, and presented engineered plans to convert the temporary control to a tight two‑lane configuration requiring a planned two‑week full closure and detour in mid‑August to be completed by county construction crews.

Engineering staff said the consultant's design would provide nine‑foot lanes configured within constrained right‑of‑way and emphasized the work will require permits and ordering materials before construction. "Based upon current information, department expects conversion of the temporary traffic control measures will be scheduled for mid August of this year. Work is expected to be completed by the Sussex County construction crew and requires 2 week closure and detour of Maple Avenue," the department reported.

Discussion vs. decision: The report contained schedule and technical details; commissioners asked clarifying questions and were told additional information will be released as plans are finalized. No formal construction contract award was announced in open session in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: Residents who use Maple Avenue or the Libertyville Road detour were directed to the Department of Engineering and Planning at (973) 579‑0430 for questions; the department will publish updates as permits are obtained and schedules are finalized.