Full Notification

See the below press release from the New Jersey Department of Transportaion regarding the upcoming closure of the Main St bridge. This closure is expected to last several months while emergency repairs are made to the bridge. 

"New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River between Belmar and Avon by the Sea in Monmouth County will remain closed to marine traffic until next week following a mechanical malfunction. The bridge remains open to vehicular traffic.
On Friday March 1, the Route 71 Bridge over Shark River experienced a mechanical failure resulting in significant damage to the machinery of the North Bridge leaf. At this time, the movable bridge is non-operational. Marine traffic able to pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so, but any vessels requiring an opening to pass under the bridge may not. NJDOT’s structural evaluation and draw bridge engineering teams have inspected the bridge and determined it remains safe for Route 71 to remain open to vehicular traffic crossing over the bridge. Emergency measures are being designed to lift the bridge into a fully-open position to allow all marine traffic to pass through. NJDOT is legally obligated to allow marine traffic to pass, as it has the right of way. The work will require a large crane to lift the north leaf. Due to coastal storms and high winds, it is estimated the emergency work will take place on or about Tuesday, March 12. NJDOT is actively working to design a permanent repair as quickly as possible. The bridge will remain in the fully-open position to allow all marine traffic to pass through until the emergency repairs are complete, which is expected to take several months. Route 71 will be closed and detoured during construction.
The following detours will begin on or about Tuesday, March 12 and remain in place until the repairs are completed:

Route 71 Main Street northbound from Belmar to Avon by the Sea Detour: • Motorists on Route 71 northbound will be directed to turn left onto Eighth Avenue • Turn right on Route 35 • Continue over the Route 35/Shark River Bridge and follow signs for Avon by the Sea.

Route 71 Main Street southbound from Avon by the Sea to Belmar Detour: • Motorists on Route 71 southbound will be directed to turn right onto Sylvania Avenue • Stay right and take the ramp to Route 35 South/Belmar • Take Route 35 over the Shark River Bridge into Belmar • Turn left onto Eighth Avenue and follow to Main Street. 

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page."