Corson's Inlet Bridge Now Scheduled to Reopen on Monday

The Cape May County officials confirmed Friday that the Corson's Inlet Bridge is now expected to reopen on Monday, Feb. 14.

The county's Bridge Commission last Monday awarded an emergency contract to Allied Painting Inc., of Cherry Hill, to complete repair work within four days. At that time, the work was expected to start Tuesday and finish Friday.

But Cape May County Administrator Stephen O'Connor said Friday that the work period started only on Wednesday due to a delay in completing the contract. He said he did not know what time on Monday the bridge is expected to open.

The $19,400 contract calls for $1,000 per day penalties if the work is not completed on time. O'Connor said Friday that the Bridge Commission will have to decide if it will enforce the penalties for not meeting the four-day deadline that will end on Saturday.

The bridge has been closed since a Feb. 1 crash that saw a Ford SUV driven by an 18-year-old Sea Isle City woman smash through the railing and land in the water. Nicole Crudele and her twin brother, Michael, survived the crash with minor injuries after swimming to safety.

The emergency repair addresses only a 40-foot section of missing and damaged railing.