The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders is seeking design proposals for the replacement of the bascule span of the 96th Street Bridge leading to Stone Harbor.
The replacement of the bascule span, the moveable part of the 90-year-old drawbridge, was identified as the county’s most pressing priority in a recently adopted report focusing on the county bridge system, according to a news release Friday.
“This is an important step forward and underscores the Freeholders’ commitment to a timely implementation of the county’s newly adopted comprehensive bridge plan,” said Freeholder Will Morey, who oversees the county engineer’s office and is the liaison to the Cape May County Bridge Commission.
The 96th Street Bridge was constructed in 1930. The original bridge included timber trestle approach spans and a twin leaf movable span known as a bascule span. The timber approach spans were replaced as part of a rehabilitation project that occurred in the 1980s and now consist of modern reinforced concrete piers and pre-stressed concrete box beams.
However, the movable span of the bridge, which includes the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems, was repaired but not replaced or significantly modernized at that time.
Over the years, deterioration of the bascule span caused by weathering and age has adversely affected its reliability and function, leading to the county’s decision to replace it.
Full project completion is expected within the next five years. Information on the project’s details and timeline will be provided as the design process progresses.
