Jersey Shore Bridge Closed Indefinitely Due To Motor Failure

LOWER TWP., NJ — An important bridge at the Jersey Shore will be closed to traffic indefinitely after a major motor failure, Cape May County officials said.

The Middle Thorofare Bridge, which links Diamond Beach and Wildwood Crest to Cape May, is stuck open to allow vessels through during the period of closure, according to the Cape May County Bridge Commission. The bridge, also called the Two Mile Bridge, is closed to vehicular, pedestrian and bike traffic as of Aug. 18.

The drive shaft motor used to open the bridge on demand failed at 10 a.m. Saturday, county officials said. The bridge electrical engineers performed many tests, concluding that the motor was inoperable and irreparable.

As this motor is "highly specialized" per county officials, the best-case scenario for replacement is it taking many weeks. There's no official timeline as to when it will be fixed right now.

"If you plan to travel south from the Crest through Diamond Beach toward Cape May, Lower township, and the Garden State Parkway (or north into Lower and Wildwood Crest) you will need to drive around / take alternate routes," said Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera.