Another monthslong closure begins this week for the Route 71 drawbridge
This latest closure is expected to last until February for permanent repairs, but marine traffic will still be able to pass.
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It's happening again - the Route 71/Main Street drawbridge over the Shark River will be closed with a detour beginning Tuesday at 5 a.m.
"It just seems like it's always closed," said Belmar resident Joelle Meimin.
For Meimin, this means detour headaches for months to come on the commute to work.
"I work at the local hospital here, so it's very inconvenient getting into work if the train is coming," said Meimin. "Sometimes that can take 10, 15 minutes."
This latest closure is expected to last until February for permanent repairs, but marine traffic will still be able to pass. Interim repairs were completed in August.
"I think it's going to be delayed reopening," said Meimin. "They just seem to close it all the time. It was closed most of the summer. So I just don't know what's going to happen with all that."
The detour will make those on Route 71 northbound turn left onto Eighth Avenue and then turn right onto Route 35. Southbound traffic from Avon-By-The-Sea must turn right at Sylvania Avenue to then take a ramp to Route 35 South. A shuttle will also be available.
With the closure and detour to come, Meimin worries about the businesses.
"I've seen them post on Facebook like 'Guys, remember us. We're still open,' and I just feel bad," she said. "My favorite café is in Avon, so even just getting to the town next door can take much longer."
The New Jersey Department of Transportation says there are plans in motion to replace the bridge, but construction wouldn't happen until at least 2028.
