Monday, December 27, 2004

Dorset Avenue Bridge Weight Limit Remains In Effect

In cooperation with City of Ventnor officials, County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced that the three-ton weight limit on the Dorset Avenue Bridge in Ventnor will remain in effect through the beginning of the year. Plans call for steel beams to be installed in early January to stablize the bridge and prevent any further structural damage. A deteriorated beam was identified during a routine state inspection of the bridge in November. The county quickly responded by posting the weight limit restrictions and a partial detour so that the bridge could safely remain open until emergency repairs and permanent reconstruction are completed.

"We continue to work with Ventnor officials to minimize the impact of these restrictions," Levinson stated, "but safety must take precedence over convenience."

The three-ton weight limit requires any vehicle with more than two axles and/or dual wheels on any axle to use an alternate route, this includes buses and most trucks.

The Dorset Avenue Bridge, one of 175 bridges maintained by the county, is more than 80 years old. It was found to be in statisfactory condition upon inspection by the state Department of Transportation, Division of Bridges, in 2002. Levinson noted that both the bridge's mechanical and electrical systems have previously been upgraded and that this current problem is strictly structural.

"Extensive reconstruction of the bridge will be performed during the winter and completed prior to the peak, summer season," said Levinson. "Completion of this work will eliminate any weight limit restrictions. We will continue to issue updates as reconstruction progresses."

For more information, please contact Joe Maher, Department Head of Planning, at (609) 645-5898.

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