The $1.13 million project is expected to start in January, focusing on the exit ramp from Route 22 East to Main and Broad streets in Phillipsburg.
About 40 trees will be cut down in Phillipsburg as part of efforts to prevent rock-fall hazards along a steep slope overlooking Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission property.
Planned to start in early January and continue into early June, the $1.13 million project is focused on the slope along the commission's ramp from Route 22 East to Main and Broad streets, according to a commission news release.
"A portion of the slope has soil cover, trees and some vegetation between rocky escarpments," the release states. "In November 2013, a tree uprooted and partially slid down the slope presenting a safety issue. Periodically, rocks of various sizes have also come loose.
"The project aims to mitigate rock-fall hazards that could potentially put motorists and pedestrians at risk."
Bridge commissioners on Nov. 23 awarded the contract for the work to Clinton Township-based Merco Inc., following a competitive bid process opened in late September.
The initial work involves "the select removal of approximately 40 diseased or hazardous trees on the slope" overlooking the commission's Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22) Toll Bridge administration building, the release states.
Other work will involve removal of existing fencing, concrete post foundations and tie-backs; rock scaling, boulder removal and debris removal; and the installation of upper and lower catch fences, according to the bridge commission.
The project does not include new landscaping or replacing any trees.
"The selected trees are either diseased, have exposed roots, are out of plumb and/or are at high risk of toppling," commission spokesman Joe Donnelly said in an email. "We're not going to plant trees to eventually recreate the hazardous conditions that this project is intended to address."
Phillipsburg's next mayor gets 'surprise' $30,000 pay cut
The work will require limited ramp closures and lane restrictions, but only during off-peak-traffic hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Donnelly said. Peak traffic for the ramp is about 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays.
The travel restrictions are expected only during the tree-cutting and -removal portion of the project, expected to last about two weeks.
"A short detour will be posted to direct traffic to use the U-turn along Route 22 east to Memorial Parkway and then to Broad Street," Donnelly wrote, adding that travel alerts would be issued once the project gets underway.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.