Route 71 bridge stuck after nor'easter keeps Belmar charter boats docked
Boat owners say trips have been canceled for 10 days during the busy fall fishing season after storm damage left the drawbridge unable to open.
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Charter boats in Belmar have been stuck at the dock after the Route 71 drawbridge was damaged during the nor'easter, forcing operators to cancel trips during the busy fall fishing season.
The bridge remains open to vehicle traffic but is stuck in the down position, preventing boats from passing through the Shark River Inlet to the ocean.
Belmar's mayor spoke with the New Jersey Department of Transportation on Tuesday morning and said water got inside the bridge's mechanical room during the nor'easter, leaving the bridge unable to open.
Boat captains said Tuesday would have been nearly perfect for an ocean trip, with the water nearly flat after the storm moved out of the region. Instead, trips remain canceled, and boat owners say their employees can't get paid.
"I had a number of trips booked from people from the whole tri-state area coming down for a cruise because of the Jewish holidays that we had to cancel. Hundreds. Hundreds of people," boat owner Bobby Quinn said.
Bill McKim, owner of the "Jersey Girl," said customers are already asking whether upcoming trips will be canceled.
"It's concerning when you get an email from someone saying me and my mom are leaving on Wednesday are we going to be able to go or you just going to be refunding our money and it sounds like we will be refunding their money," McKim said.
The Route 71 Main Street Bridge also caused problems for store owners last year and into the winter when it became stuck in the up position, leading to a significant drop in business.
The entire bridge is slated for replacement beginning in 2028.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation says the bridge is expected to reopen to marine traffic later this week.
