Townsend's Inlet Bridge

Townsend’s Inlet Bridge

Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster announced that Ocean Drive (County Road No. 619) between Avalon and Sea Isle City is scheduled to re-open to vehicular traffic on Friday, February 12th, at 3:00pm.  The permanent restoration of the section of Ocean Drive between 4th Avenue in Avalon and the bridge over Townsend’s Inlet will be substantially completed on February 12th.  Once the roadway reopens on February 12th, there are no planned closings of the roadway or Townsend’s Inlet Bridge for construction activities.  However, there may be an occasional lane closing to complete any remaining or maintenance work.

This permanent restoration project hardened the Ocean Drive roadway to minimize the damage inflicted on the pavement due to wave action.  The new roadbed consists of stainless steel reinforced concrete.  An open graded stone area has been created between the seawall and the new concrete roadbed to permit most of the water from the waves crashing on the seawall to return to the ocean instead of running across the roadway.  Previously all of the water from the waves ran across the roadway.  During times of extremely high tides and a northeast wind, the waves may overtop the seawall and for safety concerns may result in the roadway being temporarily closed.