Route 71 Bridge Work Complete

Work is complete on the Route 71 bridge connecting downtown Belmar with Avon-By-The-Sea, officials said.

The state Department of Transportation had closed the bridge during the overnight hours this week while crews worked to upgrade the bridge's safety barrier gates.

But on Wednesday, Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said he was informed the bridge was once again fully operational. 

The closures, which began Monday, were necessary for a manufacturer’s warranty upgrade on the new safety barrier gates, according to a DOT release. which will be performed at no-cost to the state, the release says.

In 2011, the DOT completed a project to rehabilitate the mechanical and electrical systems on the bridge and installed new safety barrier gates, the release says. 

"The Shark River channel is one of the busiest commercial boating channels in the state and the bridge is required to open for marine traffic on-demand, per U.S. Coast Guard requirements," the release said.