Shore-area bridge stuck open, closed to traffic, pedestrians

The Middle Thorofare Bridge that connects Wildwood Crest and other Jersey Shore areas with the Garden State Parkway was shut to traffic Sunday after becoming stuck in the open position when a motor failed. When it might reopen was unclear.

“There is no timeline on reopening at this time,” Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera posted on Facebook Sunday morning. “It could be an extended period of time.”

The span, also known as Two Mile Bridge, “is closed to vehicle, bikes and pedestrian traffic due to a motor failure that could not be repaired,” Cabrera said.

He said the bridge remained in the upright position and that commercial vessels could pass.

Officials were warning that people planning to leave the barrier island and travel south toward Cape May, Lower Township, or the Parkway would need to find alternate routes. Those planning to travel north into Lower Township, Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, or Wildwood Crest would also need to take alternative routes.

According to the Cape May County Herald, the toll bridge is set to be replaced at an estimated cost of $250 million.

The Cape May County Bridge Commission owns the bridge on the Ocean Drive (County Route 621) causeway, along with two other bridges. All were built in 1939 with an expected life of 75 years, which has now been exceeded by about 10 years.

Already heavy truck traffic has been prohibited on the Middle Thorofare Bridge. It is part of an important evacuation route for the southern end of the Wildwoods.