State Makes Big Announcement About Rt. 71 Bridge In Belmar

BELMAR, NJ — On Wednesday, the NJ DOT made a major announcement about the Rt. 71 drawbridge over the Shark River between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea, which suffered a serious mechanical malfunction last week:

The mechanical malfunction happened Friday, which means the bridge can no longer open for large boats to pass underneath it. The bridge will remain closed to large boats until March 12, at which point it will remain in the "open" position for several months — and be closed to all cars.

Friday's mechanical failure "resulted in significant damage to the machinery of the North Bridge leaf," said the NJ DOT. "At this time, the movable bridge is non-operational. Marine traffic able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so, but any vessels requiring an opening to pass under the bridge may not."

Starting next Tuesday, March 12, the bridge will remain in the fully-open position to allow all marine traffic to pass through until the emergency repairs are complete, which is expected to take several months.

Rt. 71 will be closed and detoured during construction. The following detours will begin on or about Tuesday, March 12 and remain in place until the repairs are completed:

Route 71 Main Street northbound from Belmar to Avon by the Sea Detour:

• Motorists on Route 71 northbound will be directed to turn left onto Eighth Avenue
• Turn right on Route 35
• Continue over the Route 35/Shark River Bridge and follow signs for Avon by the Sea

Route 71 Main Street southbound from Avon by the Sea to Belmar Detour:

• Motorists on Route 71 southbound will be directed to turn right onto Sylvania Avenue
• Stay right and take the ramp to Route 35 South/Belmar
• Take Route 35 over the Shark River Bridge into Belmar
• Turn left onto Eighth Avenue and follow to Main Street