County: Townsend’s Inlet Bridge May Reopen July 30

CREST HAVEN – Since the county’s previous construction update issued in mid-April, the county and Cape May County Bridge Commission advise that work on the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge project has progressed better than projected and more favorable weather conditions have aided in the accomplishment of a number of critical work activities.
According to a release, as a result of that progress, the commission anticipates being able to open the bridge earlier than late summer as initially projected.  
Currently, it is projected that a probable opening date to be on or about July 30.  
While the county has a reasonable level of confidence supporting this earlier date, there remain a number of critical construction activities to be completed in the next three weeks that could have an impact on the final completion date.
To date, all of the pier caps have been placed, deck stringers for spans 1 and 2 are in place, and it is expected that the other remaining framing components will be in place by June 8.  
If work proceeds as expected, the bridge deck surface should be completely poured by June 21, which will then open the way for the construction of the final bridge components such as sidewalks and railing.
The county has worked cooperatively with the contractor and engineering teams in order to advance quality work as quickly and responsibly as possible.  
Additionally, it continues to explore options to consolidate the construction schedule by permitting contract work to proceed concurrently where feasible.  
The county has also authorized changes in the methods of the work completion to accommodate the goal of reducing the remaining project schedule due to awareness of the inconvenience the closure has on the public.
A final construction update will be issued in about three weeks at which time a more definitive date for the bridge’s re-opening will be provided.