Route 71 Shark River Bridge to be closed next week

Maintenance work will require detour in Monmouth County

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the Route 71 Shark River Bridge between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea, Monmouth County, will be closed for a week to allow maintenance to be done on the moveable bridge. 

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2014, the Route 71 Shark River Bridge will be closed for electrical work to replace and upgrade control equipment and gearboxes on the moveable bridge. The work is expected to be complete by 4 p.m. Friday, October 24. The span will be kept in a raised position while the work is being done to allow marine traffic to pass.

The following detours will be in place:

• Route 71 Northbound

Motorists will be directed to 8th Avenue to Route 35 northbound to Sylvania Avenue to Route 71 northbound.

• Route 71 Southbound

Motorists will be directed to Sylvania Avenue to Route 35 southbound to 8th Avenue to Route 71 southbound.

Variable message signs will notify motorists of the traffic pattern changes.  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.