Commission hears multi-bridge update: E‑Stop installed at Townsend Inlet; Grassy Sound rehab likely requires county bond

Project Manager Jason Futrell updated the Cape May County Bridge Commission on March 19 on a slate of bridge and roadway projects across Cape May County, reporting an equipment installation and several schedule and funding items that will affect upcoming work.

"The E-Stop system for Townsend Inlet was installed and fully tested on PLC-A on March 11, 2026 to comply with AASHTO and priority repair requirements," Futrell reported. He said staff will operate the system for several weeks to verify full system operability before downloading the E‑Stop to PLC‑B. On Townsend Inlet fender work, Futrell said contractor SSI encountered a subsurface obstruction under Pier 4 similar to one found under Pier 5; engineering firm WSP is updating designs to work around the obstruction and has contacted the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to request an extension for in‑water work. The commission was told the Townsend Inlet work remains on track for an estimated mid‑May 2026 completion, subject to permitting and site conditions.

On Grassy Sound Bridge, Futrell said Triad Associates has been searching for grant funding but that grant support now looks unlikely; county bond issuance is the more likely funding mechanism, with the estimated superstructure rehabilitation cost set at $12,000,000. Futrell noted that interlock changes to the bridge’s electrical system have been designed and are planned for installation after Townsend Inlet work is complete. Walters Marine was reported to have obtained anchor bolt material and was scheduled to install the bolts as a change order to the Ocean City–Longport pier contract on March 19, to be followed by County Traffic & Electrical installing a new traffic signal.

For the Middle Thorofare Bridge and Ocean Drive (CR 621) improvements, Futrell said right‑of‑way meetings were held March 3 and March 10 to discuss options for private driveways and that stakeholder meetings with affected property owners will begin soon. The minutes record that a new motor for Middle Thorofare was received March 3 and that TCS will review dimensions and take field measurements; an anticipated installation date was listed as October 2026. The Local Concept Development study for multiple bridge replacements remains on hold pending U.S. Coast Guard concurrence on navigation impact and vertical clearance requirements; Futrell told the commission that some USCG review functions have been delayed because non‑security departments are temporarily inactive due to funding, and that concurrence is anticipated in April 2026.

Futrell also reported that all NBIS biennial inspections are complete, the inspection team is preparing reports and load ratings with preliminary submissions expected in April 2026, and that tolling systems and AET equipment replacement plans (new scanners from OSI) are proceeding though some equipment is awaiting GFI availability. No substantial public comment was recorded during the meeting; commission business continued with a note that a reorganization meeting is scheduled for May and that a closed session will occur at the next meeting.

The updates outlined several near‑term operational tasks (E‑Stop verification; anchor bolt and traffic signal installations) and longer‑range funding and permitting hurdles (USCG concurrence and bond decisions) that will determine schedules for the larger bridge rehab projects.