New Ocean City-Longport bridge opens to traffic

“This $55 million bridge, which will see an estimated 2 million cars a year, will reduce congestion and improve the quality of life for the region’s year-round residents, as well as the hundreds of thousands that flock here each summer,” Fox said. “People won’t have to wait in traffic for a rusting draw bridge to open and then cross their fingers as they wait for it close.”

The new bridge extends from the Gardens Parkway to Route 152 and replaces the 75-year-old Ocean City-Longport bridge that had been closed to traffic for safety reasons since June of 2001. The project began in 2000, with the new bridge constructed adjacent to the existing one. Approximately 10,000 motorists a day will use the bridge during the summer.

“We’ve worked closely with local officials to preserve a section of the old bridge and turn it into a fishing pier with parking and restrooms so that families who have fished from the old Ocean City-Longport bridge can continue to do so,” Fox said.

The bridge is owned and operated by the Cape May County Bridge Commission. The fishing pier will open later this summer. The NJDOT has accelerated design plans to replace the Route 52 Causeway bridges. A series of four bridges link Ocean City and Somers Point. Construction on the $42 million project will begin in 2005.