Route 71 Shark River Bridge closure to snarl traffic for months
🚧 The Shark River Bridge between Belmar & Avon closes again Tuesday
🚧 The closure will remain until at least February
🚧 NJDOT offering free daily shuttle service 8 a.m.–8 p.m. during closure
BELMAR — The Route 71 bridge over the Shark River will close again to complete repairs that started in June.
The bridge that connects Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea will be closed again to vehicles and pedestrians by the NJ DOT starting Tuesday to complete work on the south bridge leaf that allows the 93-year-old bridge to be raised and lowered.
It suffered a mechanical failure on June 13, but interim repairs on the concrete foundations and electrical and mechanical components allowed it to temporarily reopen in August.
The DOT is required to make sure marine traffic can pass as it legally has the right of way.
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Long-term replacement project already in the works
A free shuttle bus will run between the two communities daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the closure, which is expected to be in place until at least February.
The leaf on the north side of the bridge suffered a similar mechanical failure in 2024.
The NJDOT says it has a capital project in design to replace the Route 71 Bridge. The final design is expected to begin next year, with construction expected to start in 2028 and be completed in 2031.
Shark River Bridge detours
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 the Route 35 Bridge over the Shark River into Belmar
- Turn left onto Eighth Avenue and follow to Main Street
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