Posted on July 21, 2025
Emergency work to repair a busy drawbridge that connects two Jersey Shore towns in Monmouth County is expected to be completed in August, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Friday.
The Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River between Belmar and Avon by the Sea has been closed since June 13.
The bridge’s south leaf experienced a mechanical failure at that time, which forced its closure, officials said.
But now, the finish line for the emergency repairs is in sight, the department said in a statement.
“Crews have been working around the clock, seven days a week to repair concrete foundations and mechanical components,” the statement read. “An interim repair to reopen the bridge to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and restore normal operations is expected to be completed by early to mid-August.”
Route 71 will remain closed and detoured to vehicles and pedestrians until further notice and the bridge will remain in the upright position to allow marine traffic to pass until the emergency repairs are completed, the department said.
To accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists wishing to go between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea, a free shuttle bus began running on July 1 and it will operate seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during construction, officials said.
Parts for a permanent repair are being manufactured, the state said.
The permanent repair will take place this fall and will require the bridge to be closed to traffic and pedestrians again for approximately two months, authorities said.
“Once full functionality is restored and the bridge is reopened in August, it is expected to remain open through Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13,” the statement said.
The bridge will once again be lifted into the open position and closed to vehicles and pedestrians at some point after that, while the permanent repairs are made, officials said.
However, NJDOT is also working on an estimated $163 million replacement for the old bridge, according to planning documents.
Final design is scheduled to begin next year, with construction expected to start in 2028 and be completed in 2031, Stephen Schapiro, an NJDOT spokesperson, said last month.
