Emergency repairs on the Route 71 drawbridge that connects Belmar to Avon-by-the-Sea have forced the shutdown of the busy thoroughfare, and officials can’t give an estimate as to when it will ...

Emergency repairs on the Route 71 drawbridge that connects Belmar to Avon-by-the-Sea have forced the shutdown of the busy thoroughfare, and officials can’t give an estimate as to when it will ...

Crews have been working on the Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River that connects Belmar to Avon-by-the-Sea, but repairs could take months.

“Now Route 35 is backed up like crazy,” said Claire Morrison, who owns The Macaroon Shop in Avon-by-the-Sea. “That's unusual for us,” said Gary Henniger, of Belmar.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation says that the Route 71 Bridge that connects Belmar and Avon-By-The-Sea is expected to reopen by May 31.