Politics & Government

UPDATE: DOT Says Shark River Bridge to Open for Memorial Day Weekend

Local elected officials put pressure on state

In an about face from an earlier announcement, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Friday afternoon that the Shark River bridge spanning Route 71 between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea would be open during Memorial Day weekend.

The DOT announced earlier this week that delays to the bridge's ongoing rehabilitation project could possibly delay its re-opening until mid-June. Work will be delayed on the bridge to allow its to operate by its normal, 30-minute schedule from 12 p.m. on Friday, May 27 until 6 p.m. on Monday, May 30. 

“We have listened to the concerns expressed by local officials, business owners and residents, and are pleased to report that we have made sufficient progress in this project to be able to suspend construction activity and operate the bridge in an efficient manner for the holiday weekend,” NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said.

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The Memorial Day Weekend opening will now likely delay the completion of the project. The DOT anticipates the bridge will re-open in late June.

A meeting with local officials as well as area legislators lead to the Friday afternoon announcement.

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I am satisfied that NJDOT heard our concerns about our businesses and public safety, and is going to have the bridge operational for traffic for the Memorial Day weekend,” Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said.  “I am concerned that they will close the bridge immediately after Memorial Day to complete the work sometime in June.  Every day it is closed, our businesses lose money and it negatively impacts our town.”

“On this important holiday weekend, I am pleased that NJDOT will be able to open the bridge,” State Senator Sean T. Kean said.  “This will help get the summer season off to a good start for business owners, residents and visitors.  I will continue to monitor the project as it progresses to completion in June."

“I applaud the NJDOT for working with the affected communities on what has been a difficult process,” Assemblyman Dave Rible said.  “While it is unfortunate that completion of the project has been delayed, I’m confident that NJDOT has received the message loud and clear to finish the job as soon as possible.”

Elected officials in Belmar criticized the DOT's original announcement that the bridge would not be opened for Memorial Day weekend at a meeting of the governing body earlier this week.

"We're going to be flooded with people," Doherty said, noting that Memorial Day Weekends past have seen as many as 40,000 visitors flood the borough. "Its going to be a real public safety challenge for our police department."

Doherty also stressed the adverse affect that the bridge closure has had on the local business community, both in Belmar and across the river in Avon-by-the-Sea.

Council President Claire Deicke reiterated the mayor's sentiments. 

"I want to state how very, very disappointed I am," Deicke said. "We're taking a strong stand on that." 

The bridge has been closed since October, when DOT representatives appeared before the Belmar Mayor and Council and assured the governing body that the bridge would be open by Memorial Day weekend.

The Shark River Bridge project includes rehabilitation for the mechanical and electrical systems as well as new safety barriers for the bridge. The $17.8 million project includes improvements to the Route 88 bridge over the Inland Waterway in Point Pleasant.

The bridge has been closed since early October with the exception of the day of the Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade when it was temporarily opened to allow for easier travel into and out of the borough.


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