County looks at Old Bridge for next care center

OLD BRIDGE - Middlesex County officials have two township sites in mind for the construction of a new long-term care center.

The facility, designed to meet the growing demand for quality health-care facilities in the county, would be the county's third nursing and rehabilitative care center. The other two are located at the historic Roosevelt Care Center in Edison, including a 180-bed facility that opened in 2005.

Middlesex County Freeholders Director David B. Crabiel discussed the county's commitment to building another 180-bed care center during his address at the freeholders' reorganization meeting Jan. 4.

"The bottom line is this: The need for extended care in our county is being addressed," said Crabiel, who was elected by his peers to serve as director for the 12th year. "The care at the existing new facility is excellent, and we confidently expect further progress with a new 180-bed facility in Old Bridge."

The two sites being considered are a 10-acre tract owned by Old Bridge Township off Route 18, and land owned by Raritan Bay Medical Center's Old Bridge division, also off Route 18.

Initial plans had called for constructing this third long-term care facility also on the grounds of the Roosevelt Care Center, but Crabiel said there is not enough land to do that.