Townsend's Inlet Bridge closed until May for repairs

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. (WTXF/AP) - The Townsend's Inlet Bridge is now closed for the next eight months as it undergoes renovations.

The bridge, which connects Sea Isle City and Avalon, shut down at 4 a.m. Monday morning, and is not expected to reopen until May 22, 2019.

Crews will work to replace several spans on the 80-year-old bridge and add new pilings and railings.

Detour signs will be posted along Ocean Drive to help drivers get around the construction.

The 1,373-foot bridge was closed in April for emergency repairs to railings and in 2017 after an underwater inspection of bridge pilings found structural damage.

Officials say most demolition and construction will involve floating equipment. The county wants to replace the bridge, but that could cost as much as $155 million.