Loveland Town Bridge To Close for Four-Week Repair Project Starting Jan. 5

The Loveland Town Bridge will shut down starting Jan. 5. All traffic stops. Maintenance and repairs could take about four weeks, maybe less. The New Jersey Department of Transportation plans to fix the bridge spanning the Point Pleasant Canal, which links Point Pleasant and Bay Head.

Work begins at 9 a.m. on Jan. 5. Crews will tighten the support cables. This bridge went up in 1971. Officials say the cables need attention now to protect the structure and keep people safe for years to come.

Route 13/Bridge Avenue will remain shut in both directions until late February, though crews might finish early. The state picked winter months on purpose — fewer tourists, less disruption for local shops and residents.

"The Borough of Point Pleasant has met with all emergency personnel and first responders to plan and make sure there will be continual coverage to all parts of town as the bridge will not be passable during this time," borough officials said, per Patch.com.

Detours will send drivers around the closed section. Eastbound cars take Route 88/Ocean Road, then Bay Avenue, before getting back to Route 13. Westbound vehicles use Bay Avenue to Route 88/Ocean Avenue, then rejoin Route 13. Signs will guide motorists.

Bridge Avenue will still allow local access during construction. However, drivers passing through won't be able to cross while workers fix the cables.

This project belongs to a bigger $20.4 million program. The state is fixing drawbridges across Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties to prevent bigger problems down the road.

Drivers should add extra time to their trips. Check 511nj.org for live traffic updates and construction details.