The closure of the Route 71 bridge connecting Avon-by-the-Sea and Belmar has caused a significant decline in revenue along Main Street, according to local business owners. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has stated that repairs on the bridge may take up to another month, with the goal of completing the repairs by Memorial Day weekend.
The broken drawbridge stuck in the up position has impacted foot and vehicular traffic in the area, leading to a decrease in sales ranging from 20% to 45% for businesses on Main Street. Store owners have expressed concerns about reduced foot traffic due to the detour that bypasses their shops. With the bridge up, there is limited access to the stores, causing a significant decrease in customers and sales.
The mechanical failure on the 92-year-old Route 71 bridge occurred on March 1, forcing crews to raise the bridge to allow marine traffic to pass through. However, this decision has unintentionally blocked all Main Street foot and vehicular traffic, diverting customers away from downtown and towards the Route 35 bridge. Businesses are feeling the impact of the bridge closure, with slower days of the week seeing a significant decrease in customer traffic.
NJDOT is working on building replacement parts for the bridge to expedite the repair process. While their target is to have the bridge open by Memorial Day, detours will remain in place until completion of repairs. Local business owners are hopeful that once