Townsend’s Inlet Bridge to Close for Three Weeks

CREST HAVEN – The Townsend’s Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will close April 2 for approximately three weeks to remove the existing bridge railing and install the new railing system in the area adjacent to the movable span.
There is insufficient width on the bridge to provide a 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 the shortest duration possible to replace the railing. For the safety of the workers and the public, the bridge will also be closed to pedestrians and bicyclists.
To replace the railing, the contractor will remove a two-foot section of concrete in the safety walk and deck at each post location. Additional reinforcement steel is to be installed and new concrete placed. 
The additional reinforcement steel is required to provide the strength needed to prevent vehicles from going through the railing system.
When the bridge reopens, the 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, thus there is no room for error.  The one-lane operation for traffic is expected to run until June 2018. 
Motorists are advised to drive with care when passing through the construction zone.
This work under the county’s $2.7 million construction contract was awarded by freeholders to Thomas Barry Marine Construction, Inc., of South Dennis Sept. 12, 2017.  
The construction operations are being overseen by Remington & Vernick Engineers, of Haddonfield.
Those with questions should contact the Cape May County Public Works Department at (609) 465-1035.