CREST HAVEN – The Townsends Inlet Bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City will be closed from 10 p.m. Nov. 10 to 5 a.m. Nov. 11 to install the concrete construction barrier curb and temporary traffic signal system for the first phase of work under the bridge railing replacement project.
When traffic is permitted on the bridge at 5 a.m. on Nov. 11, the southbound lane will be closed to traffic and alternating traffic will be maintained in the northbound lane by a temporary traffic signal system.
No tolls will be collected when the bridge is reduced to one lane of traffic.
The project involves the removal of deteriorated steel railing and the installation of a standard steel 4-bar railing system on 25 of 27 spans of the bridge.
The railing in two spans was replaced under a previous construction contract.
To install the new rail system, a portion of the existing concrete deck in the area of each rail post is removed, and new reinforcement steel and concrete is placed.
This is the same railing system that was installed on the Corsons Inlet Bridge in 2012.
The project is divided into four phases. The first two phases are on the Sea Isle City half of the bridge with the first phase of work occurring in the southbound lane from the north abutment located in Sea Isle City to the tollbooth.
The second phase would be a repeat of the first phase except the work will be in the northbound lane. The third and fourth phases involve the Avalon half of the bridge, and the work is from the movable span to the south abutment.
The movable span, which is required to open upon demand from a vessel, is not impacted by this construction project.
Variable message signs advising motorists of bridge work have already been placed and will remain for the project’s duration.
The work area is separated from the travel lane by a concrete construction barrier. Unfortunately, due to the narrow width of the existing bridge, the one lane of traffic is 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 requested to drive with care when passing through the construction zone.
This work is part of the county’s $2.7-million construction contract awarded by freeholders to Thomas Barry Marine Construction, Inc., South Dennis, Sept. 12.
The construction operations are being overseen by Remington & Vernick Engineers, Haddonfield.
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