Townsends Inlet Bridge closed for repairs

Nov, 19-2009 11:40 am

SEA ISLE CITY—Cape May County Bridge Commission Executive Director Stephen O’Connor announced that the bridge work is almost complete on the Townsends Inlet Bridge’s sidewalk and handrail after a loose barge crashed into the bridge last week.
A barge which was brought into Townsends Inlet for the repair of the Ocean Drive Bridge broke loose from its mooring Wednesday, Nov. 11 and became lodged under the bridge about 300 feet from the Avalon end, according to county engineer Dale Foster.
On Nov. 12, O’Connor said the bridge, which connects Avalon and Sea Isle City, will be closed for repairs until the end of the following week. As of Monday, Nov. 16, O’Connor anticipated that the bridge could be open by Thursday, Nov. 19, at the latest.
Work was postponed over the weekend due to the nor’easter which blew through the area Thursday through Saturday. With the strong winds and driving rain expected to continue, repairs to the damaged railing and sidewalk did not begin until Sunday, Nov. 15. The high winds and rough tides prevented an engineering inspection of the bridge to determine any potential damage to the structure underneath the bridge. 
“We have an engineer inspecting any kind of structural damage today,” O’Connor said Monday.