Full Notification

Bridge closure update: The Route 71/Main Street Bridge detour will now begin on Monday, March 11th at 9am for emergency repairs. See the statement below from NJ DOT about the bridge repairs and detours. 

"New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced Route 71/Main Street is scheduled to be closed and detoured beginning on Monday, March 11 for emergency repairs to the drawbridge over the Shark River between Belmar and Avon by the Sea in Monmouth County.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, March 11, Route 71/Main Street is scheduled to be closed and detoured in both directions to begin prep work necessary to lift the North Bridge leaf on Tuesday, March 12 for emergency repairs. The following detours will 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/Main Street northbound will be directed to turn left onto Eighth Avenue • Turn right on Route 35 northbound • 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/Main Street 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 Route 71/Main Street.
The Route 71 Bridge over Shark River, built in 1932, is currently non-operational and closed to marine traffic following a mechanical malfunction that took place on March 1. 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. The bridge will remain open to vehicular traffic until Monday, March 11.
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. Due to coastal storms and high winds, the emergency work to lift the bridge is expected to take place 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/Main Street will be closed and detoured during construction.  
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."