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The Townsends Inlet Bridge connecting Sea Isle City and Avalon is scheduled to close Sept. 17 for an eight-month renovation project.

On Monday, Sept. 17, beginning around 4 a.m., the Townsends Inlet Bridge linking Sea Isle City with Avalon will be closed as part of the planned replacement of seven deteriorated spans at the southern end of the bridge, Cape May County announced Wednesday.

It is anticipated that the bridge will remain closed until May 22, 2019, as the county’s contractor, Agate Construction, removes this portion of the structure on the Avalon side.

The proposed work will include the demolition of spans one through seven, installation of new piling, installation of new pier caps, installation of new stringers and installation of a new concrete deck and railing system.

Through traffic heading north along Ocean Drive (C.R. 619) will be detoured onto Avalon Boulevard (C.R. 601). Through traffic heading south along Landis Avenue (C.R. 619) will be detoured onto Sea Isle Boulevard (C.R. 625). Residents living adjacent to the bridge will have full access to their homes at all times. 

Ocean Drive will be closed just north of Fourth Avenue on the Avalon side of the bridge. No traffic will be permitted to travel north beyond that point due to the construction staging area. 

Pedestrian access will not be permitted beyond this point, including the portion of the adjacent seawall. Fishing on the bridge and along the adjacent seawall within the project limits will be prohibited due to safety concerns. 

No vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians will be permitted to enter beyond the staging area at the south end of the bridge in Avalon. In addition, an ongoing railing-replacement project on the Sea Isle side of the bridge will prevent vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians from entering the northerly bridge approach.

Work hours will generally be from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday work beginning on Sept. 29. 

Depending upon the progress of the project, the contractor may be working double shifts from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. starting in October. 

The demolition of the bridge spans is scheduled to begin on Friday, Sept. 28. Boaters are urged to stay clear of the barges that will be on site for the construction.