POINT PLEASANT, NJ — After a summer where heat expansion issues caused the Loveland Town Bridge to be shut down multiple times, the New Jersey Department of Transportation will be making repairs beginning Tuesday.
The NJDOT announced the repair work and associated lane closures for drivers on Monday afternoon. They will begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday and the repair work is expected to continue through the end of 2026, officials said.
The repair work involves widening the gap between the bridge expansion joints and other work to ease heat expansion issues, the NJDOT said.
"This work will ensure the continued proper and safe operation of the bridge, which was built in 1971," state officials said. "These repairs are expected to provide enough space to accommodate steel expansion during extreme heat conditions."
The Loveland Town Bridge was closed to marine traffic during the Fourth of July weekend when temperatures rose above 100 degrees and the heat index exceeded 110 degrees for several days, and was closed again at least two more times due to the heat.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, the eastbound right lane on the bridge is scheduled to be closed. The eastbound left lane on the bridge will remain open and local access for businesses and residents will be maintained on Bridge Avenue, the NJDOT said.
The right lane in the westbound direction is scheduled to be closed later this fall, officials said.
Normal bridge operations for marine traffic will continue throughout the duration of the work, state officials said.
At least one lane will remain open in each direction during construction.
Once work is completed on the right lanes, the left lanes on the bridge in both directions will be closed for repairs and the right lanes will reopen. In addition, one sidewalk will remain open throughout the project to maintain pedestrian and bicycle access to the beach area and school routes, the NJDOT said.
Work on the eastbound sidewalk is expected to take place first.
State officials anticipate minimal impact on traffic because the approach to the bridge is a single lane on both sides.
"Motorists are advised to slow down, use caution and expect delays when traveling through the work zone," officials said.
The NJDOT said work is not anticipated to be done overnight "in an effort to minimize impacts to nearby residences," officials said.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. If work is completed earlier, the lanes will reopen sooner.
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