Deck Replacement Project On 34th Street Bridge In Ocean City Begins Next Week: Mayor

Ocean City, NJ -- A two-year county project to replace decking on the 34th Street Bridge will begin Wednesday night, Oct. 19, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced as part of his weekly address on Friday.

The entire bridge will be closed in both directions from about 10 p.m. Wednesday night through 5 a.m. Thursday, Gillian said. During that time, people traveling in and out of Ocean City will be asked to use the Route 52 causeway and Ninth Street Bridge.

“The bridge closing will allow workers to install a concrete construction barrier, Gillian said. “When the bridge reopens on Thursday, traffic will be reduced to a single lane with a traffic light directing vehicles in alternating directions. The single lane will be in place through the first weekend of May 2017. The bridge will be open to traffic in both directions for the summer. The other half of the project will be completed in the 2017-18 off-season with a similar schedule of single-lane traffic.

“The single-lane traffic pattern in effect through the winter will be an inconvenience to everybody who uses the 34th Street causeway. I urge drivers to have patience as this important project is completed. The deteriorated condition of the bridge decking makes this project an important one for the safety of all.”

Gillian also noted that the demolition of the boardwalk between 8th Street and 10th Street began on Tuesday.

“The section leading to the Music Pier will be complete in time for First Night, and the entire project should be done by the end of March, if not earlier,” Gillian said. “Boardwalk businesses on either side of the project area (and some within the zone with access to the ramps and street) remain open. Please continue to patronize these establishments during construction.”

He also said dredging of the back bay continues to move forward.

“Projects at Snug Harbor and Glen Cove are complete, and work at South Harbor is now underway,” Gillian said. “We’re also preparing to empty ‘Site 83,’ thanks to a new temporary road across the marshes near Roosevelt Boulevard.”

Read the full address at ocnj.us.