More Blocks Now Open For Traffic On Ocean Avenue in Belmar

Concrete barriers and detour signs are becoming fewer in Belmar. More of Ocean Avenue is now open: you can now drive 1st through 10th avenues.

The additional blocks of the roadway opened Tuesday. Mayor Matt Doherty said last week that Ocean Avenue access was planned, to open five more blocks to traffic in about seven days.

For several weeks, vehicles have been able to drive from 1st to 5th, but then faced a detour as the beachfront road was closed south of 5th due to the ongoing construction.

Now, drivers can travel as far south as 5th before meeting a new detour west.

Ocean Avenue was closed since an October evacuation, then through much of March for construction along the Hurricane Sandy ravaged beachfront. Construction crews began removing debris, sifting sand and rebuilding the boardwalk and are projected to be done before April 30.

Ocean Avenue homeowners and businesses have been rebuilding and some have returned or reopened in the five months since the storm, which uprooted the boardwalk and flooded much of Belmar.

The bridge to Avon recently opened as well, and while the street is open, the sidewalks and boardwalk itself remains marked with Off Limits signs as ramps and lighting have to be installed after the boards are lain.