New Jersey Herald
The Main Street bridge that spans the Wallkill River in Sparta will soon be demolished and replaced at a cost of $1.44 million just approved by the Sussex County Board of Commissioners.
The plan calls for a wider bridge, new abutments and sidewalks on both sides. The area will be closed to traffic during the demolition and replacement, which can take up to eight months, officials said.
The last time there was a traffic count was six years ago, which and showed between 12,000 and 15,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day. A detour during the construction will guide traffic to Town Center Drive and County Route 517 to go around the worksite. Access will remain open to businesses on the north side of the bridge and to the Sparta Municipal Building on the south side of the bridge.
Sparta Police blotter
Check on vehicle in Sparta Glen results in CDS arrest
On Dec. 1 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Sparta police officer Jonathan Poon checked on a white Mazda parked in the Sparta Glen after dark. The driver, Timothy Burlew, 18, of Hopatcong, N.J., rolled his window down to speak with Poon. A small cloud of smoke escaped from within the vehicle and Poon detected the odor of marijuana. When asked about the odor, Burlew said there was still a small amount of marijuana within his vehicle, which he took ownership of. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Burlew was placed under arrest and transported to Sparta Police headquarters to be processed. A male passenger in the vehicle was released without any charges. Burlew was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, advised of a mandatory court appearance, and released.