H&H is providing emergency engineering response, rehabilitation design, and final design services for the Route 71 Bridge over Shark River, including the complete replacement of the existing structure with a new double-leaf bascule bridge and corresponding approach spans. H&H also provided fast-tracked emergency design and construction support to restore bridge operations following two separate mechanical failures.
The Route 71 Bridge over Shark River, connecting the Boroughs of Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea, was constructed in 1932 and consists of a movable double-leaf bascule span and nine fixed approach spans. The bridge is the oldest and most frequently operated movable bridge in the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) inventory, with more than 4,000 openings annually.
In March 2024, a malfunction in the south leaf operating machinery caused significant damage to the north leaf machinery, rendering the north bascule leaf inoperable. H&H mobilized to the site within 24 hours to assess the damage alongside NJDOT. Due to the extent of the damage and the urgency of restoring operations before the July 4 holiday weekend, H&H developed an innovative expedited solution. The team designed a new independent hydraulic operating system for the north leaf utilizing two hydraulic cylinders repurposed from another recent H&H bascule bridge replacement project that was under construction at the time.
Over a two-month period, H&H worked on-site with NJDOT’s emergency on-call contractor, IEW Construction Group, to provide fast-tracked design and construction support. The collaborative approach allowed the team to capitalize on IEW’s expertise and preferred means and methods, accelerating delivery under an aggressive schedule. The bridge was successfully reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic prior to the start of the busy summer season. Since returning to service, the north leaf hydraulic operating system has reliably supported the bridge’s high volume of daily operations for more than a year.
In June 2025, a separate operating malfunction damaged the south leaf machinery supports and the bascule pier. H&H again responded immediately to assess the damage and develop a repair solution. Because no spare hydraulic cylinders were available, H&H designed and fabricated new cylinders matching those previously installed on the north leaf.
The bridge replacement project is currently advancing through final design and is anticipated to begin construction in 2028, after which H&H will continue supporting the project through Construction Support Services.
