Rt. 71 Bridge Over Shark River Will Remain Closed For Foreseeable Future; Monmouth County Furious

BELMAR, NJ — The Rt. 71 drawbridge over Shark River will remain closed indefinitely, and it's the second time in a year this bridge suffered a serious mechanical malfunction.

“The extended closure of the Rt. 71 bridge is deeply concerning and undeniably disruptive for residents, businesses, and visitors who rely on this important connection between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea, especially during the summer months," said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone Wednesday.

"While we understand that the bridge is nearly a century old, it’s clear that this mechanical failure could have been avoided with consistent preventative maintenance. It’s unfortunate that we are now facing a long-term closure due to a situation that might have been prevented."

Arnone stopped short of blaming any state or federal agency in particular, but he did as the NJ Dept. of Transportation to make re-opening the Rt. 71 bridge "a priority."

In March of 2024, the same bridge suffered a mechanical malfunction, and it had to remain open for months so large boats — including commercial fishing boats — could pass underneath it. It was a major detour for drivers in the Belmar, Avon-by-the-Sea area.

"Residents deserve to have confidence that vital transportation links like the Rt. 71 bridge are being maintained before reaching a point of failure," said Arnone. "We recognize that NJDOT is actively assessing the damage and working on a path forward