Route 71 Bridge over Shark River reopens to boat traffic after nor’easter damage
The bridge between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea resumed normal operations Thursday morning after NJDOT completed testing of its components.
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The Route 71 Bridge over the Shark River reopened to marine traffic Thursday morning, ending a closure that had prevented boats from passing through the channel since Sunday’s nor’easter.
The bridge between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea resumed normal operations at 11:30 a.m., according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The bridge had been unable to open for marine traffic since Sept. 27 after storm flooding reached its mechanical and electrical room, submerging components in salt water.
READ MORE: Route 71 bridge stuck after nor'easter keeps Belmar charter boats docked
NJDOT crews pumped out the water and dried the affected equipment before conducting tests to ensure the bridge could safely resume normal operations.
The closure had kept charter boats docked in Belmar, unable to pass through the bridge.
NJDOT said it coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard to keep mariners informed throughout the channel closure.
