Bridges remain closed in Toms River and around County

OCEAN COUNTY Road Department crews have been working since the first bands of Hurricane Irene arrived in the county checking on roads and bridges affected by the storm and removing toppled trees and branches from Ocean County’s 620 miles of roadway.

Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari urged caution and patience while getting around some areas of Ocean County.

“Overall we weathered the storm quite well and Ocean County is open for business but there are spots that have been impacted and will be in need of repairs,” Vicari said.

Motorists and visitors are urged to look out for and follow detours in a number of spots throughout the county where flooding from Hurricane Irene is forcing road closures.

“A number of bridges, culverts, and roads remain closed around Ocean County while we wait for flood waters to recede and assess damages left behind by Hurricane Irene,” said Ocean County Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department. “Detours are in place and motorists should adhere to them. We are also in the process of removing more than 500 trees and branches that came down during the storm.”

The following Ocean County bridges are closed: Aldrich Road Bridge, Jackson Township; Cook’s Bridge at Cooks Bridge Road, Jackson Township; Butterfly Bridge at Butterfly Road, Jackson Township; Coventry Road Bridge, Jackson Township; Thompsons Bridge, Thompsons Bridge Road, Jackson Township; New Francis Mills Bridge, Route 571, Jackson Township; Rova Farms Bridge, Route 571, Jackson Township; Brook Road Bridge, Lakewood; Kent Road Bridge Lakewood; Brindletown Road Bridge, New Egypt/Plumsted Township; Vince’s Bridge, Oak Ridge Parkway, Toms River Township and Whitesville Road Bridge, Route 571, Toms River Township.

Culverts currently closed are: Larsen Road Culvert, Jackson Township; Hulse’s Road Culvert, Farmingdale Road, Jackson Township; Maple Root Culvert, Bowman Road, Jackson Township; Ice Factory Culvert, Ice Factory Road, New Egypt/Plumsted Township; Cranberry Canners Road Culvert New Egypt/Plumsted.

And, roads that are currently closed due to flooding are portions of Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach; Baltimore Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach; Bayview Avenue, Seaside Park, Bayview Avenue, Berkeley Township.

Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety, said the Ocean County Engineering Department staff was also on the roads over the weekend to help with securing roadways and bridges.

“There will be a full assessment done,” Kelly said. “Right now getting information out so motorists are advised of detours will result in safer traveling and safety is paramount.”

Posted by Ocean County News on Aug 29 2011. Filed under Community, Photos, Police Blotter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.