Bridge Closure, Repairs Beginning In Point Pleasant

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — The Loveland Town Bridge will be closing to all traffic beginning Jan. 5 for crucial maintenance and repairs, officials said.

The state Department of Transportation said the maintenance and repairs to the bridge, on Bridge Avenue, is time-sensitive and crucial for maintaining the long-term structural integrity and safety of the bridge, Point Pleasant officials said.

The work on the span is anticipated to last until late February and the bridge will completely closed to traffic for the duration of the work, state transportation officials said.

Local access for businesses and residents will be maintained on Bridge Avenue, NJDOT said.

"The closure is necessary to make priority repairs to re-tension the support cables on the bridge to ensure the continued proper and safe operation of the bridge, which was built in 1971," state officials said.

As part of the maintenance work two shoring towers will be erected on the road to facilitate work on the support cables.

"The work is being done in the winter to minimize the impact to the towns. If work is completed earlier, the bridge will reopen sooner," NJDOT said.

The following detours will be in place:

Eastbound

• Motorists on Bridge Avenue eastbound will be directed to turn left onto Route 88/Ocean Road eastbound, then turn right onto Bay Avenue, and back to Bridge Avenue.

Westbound

• Motorists on Bridge Avenue westbound will be directed to turn right onto Bay Avenue, then left onto Route 88/Ocean Avenue westbound, then left onto Bridge Avenue.

The work is part of a $20.4 million drawbridge preventative maintenance contract to make repairs to bridges in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.

Point Pleasant officials said they have met with emergency personnel and first responders to plan and make sure there will be continual coverage to all parts of town as the bridge while the bridge is closed.