Bridge Over Point Pleasant Canal Not Opening For Boats, NJDOT Says

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — Boat traffic through the Point Pleasant Canal is limited after authorities halted bridge openings due to the effects of excessive heat on the bridge's mechanisms, officials said Thursday.

The Route 13 bridge on Bridge Avenue, also known as the Loveland Town Bridge, which connects Point Pleasant and Bay Head, was taken out of marine service on Thursday, the state Department of Transportation said.

The bridge is open to vehicle traffic, the NJDOT said.

The excessive heat on Thursday caused some components of the bridge to expand, preventing the bridge from opening to allow marine traffic to pass, the NJDOT said.

In the closed position, the bridge has 30 feet of clearance over mean high water. Vessels that can transit safely under the bridge may do so.

The closure to marine traffic is expected to last until about 7 a.m. Saturday, the NJDOT said, but could end sooner if the heat wave eases.

The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and sign boards were being used on the water to alert boaters. All of the surrounding bridges were notifying boaters who called for openings, the NJDOT said.