The Townsends Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will be closing at 7:30am on Monday April 2nd for approximately a three (3) week to remove the existing bridge railing and install the new railing system in the area adjacent to the movable span. Unfortunately there is insufficient width on the bridge to provide a sufficient construction barrier to separate traffic from the work area and maintain one lane for vehicular traffic, all while being able to operate the movable span. Therefore the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for as short of duration possible to replace the railing near the movable span. For their safety and the safety of the workers, the bridge will also be closed to pedestrians and bicyclists.

To replace the railing, the Contractor removes a two-foot section of concrete in the safetywalk and deck at each post locations, additional reinforcement steel is installed and new concrete placed. The additional reinforcement steel is required to provide the strength needed to prevent errant vehicles going through the railing system.

When the bridge reopens, the bridge railing replacement will move into the third phase of this four phase project. The northbound lane will be closed to traffic on the Avalon half of the bridge and traffic will be maintained in the southbound lane through the use of the temporary traffic signal system. No tolls will be collected while the bridge is reduced to one operable lane of traffic.

Due to the narrow width of the existing bridge, the one lane of traffic being maintained on the bridge will only be 10 feet in width, thus there is no room for error. The one lane operation for

traffic is expected run until June 2018. Motorists are advised to drive with care when passing through the construction zone.

This work under the County’s $2,678,715 construction contract awarded by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders to Thomas Barry Marine Construction, Inc., South Dennis, NJ on September 12, 2017. The construction operations are being overseen by Remington & Vernick Engineers, Haddonfield, NJ.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Cape May County Public Works Department at (609) 465-1035.