For
Immediate Release:
January 7, 2020
Ocean
Avenue Shark River Bridge to close for repairs
Bridge pinions to be reconstructed
AVON and BELMAR, NJ – The Ocean
Avenue Shark River Bridge (W-43) will close for emergency repairs within the
next two weeks. The work will begin once the contract is awarded and will be
completed by mid-May.
During a routine inspection of the
Bridge, deterioration of the steel pinions, which support the bridge when it
opens and closes, was found.
“We understand the inconvenience a closure of this duration
represents to those who travel in and around the impacted communities, but the
safety of our residents and visitors remains our top priority,” said Freeholder
Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and
Engineering. “We appreciate the patience of those who travel on the Bridge, as
this reconstruction is completed, and will work to get it done as quickly as
possible to ensure that the Bridge is fully operational in advance of the
summer season.”
The bridge will allow limited
marine traffic, but will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as one
of the bridge spans will remain fully open while the work is being performed.
Drivers and pedestrians should plan
to use an alternate route during construction. Detour signs will be posted
throughout the location.
In total, the County maintains approximately 1,000 lane
miles of roads, 980 bridges and culverts and 250 traffic signals and
beacons.
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