Burnout, Old Age Cripple Bridges

TRENTON — Department of Transportation mechanics have been on the move this summer, coping with an outbreak of heat prostration and work burnout that has struck the state's aged drawbridges. The advanced age of the equipment, combined with humid weather, has resulted in an epidemic of burned out motors and coils, switch failures, shorted and grounded out electric cables and stalled traffic. WHILE THE HEAT and old age are the immediate r cause of the drawbridge ills, the main problem is ’ DOT’S funding crisis. Lack* Of funds has prevented any major upgrading of electrical systems in the drawbridges, which are 40 years or older. Despite the breakdowns, the department usually has been able to correct the problems quickly, working with limited maintenance funds and replacement parts that are not readily available. MOTORIST SUFFER the most when burnout strikes a drawbridge, as was seen in North Wildwood Sunday, July 25. Severe traffic problems developed on Rt. 1$7 when the Grassy Sound Bridge in North Wildwood became stuck in an open position. The highway was closed to vehicular traffic from 12:05

to 1:30 p.m., inconveniencing hundreds of motorists. It was necessary to dispatch a traffic signal mechanic, who was working west of Hammonton, to make the repairs. His diagnosis: Burnout of an electrical coil which controls the machinery brake. THIS TYPE OF failure could reoccur at any ‘time and on any of the movable bridges in the state. Fortunately, most malfunctions developed when bridges are in the "down" position just before or directly after an opening has been made. The impact to roadway traffic is normally minimal but marine traffic is inconvenienced. Originally a county bridge given to the DOT by legislative action, the Grassy Sound Bridge, built in 1924, has a long history of probiems. A section of the bascule span collapsed in 1971 and it was severely damaged in a fire and closed for six weeks in the Spring of 198p. THE DEPARTMENT feels that the span should be replaced and has met with Assemblyman and Wildwood Mayor Guy F. Muziani, North Wildwood Mayor Anthony T. Catanoso and other officials and conducted traffic studies. Corridor studies are underway ^improve the entire 3.3 mile length of Rt.

147, the lifeline of North Wildwood. Part of this proposed project includes replacement of the Grassy Sound Bridge. Work on an environmental impact statement will begin later this year. ONE *OF THE most troublesome drawbridges in New Jersey is the Rt. 52 bridge over Beach Thorofare in Ocean City. It has been closed to marine traffic every day since July ' 15 for one and a half to seven hours. Every time the '-temperature approaches 90 degrees, the bridge expands, wedges tight and can’t be opened. LUCKILY, to date, all failures have occurred with the bridge in a "down" position. Normally the Rt. 52 bridge gets stuck in the “open" position at least a few times during the summer season and can’t be closed until the sun goes down and then only after the local fire companies hose down the movable leaf. Department staffs operate 26 drawbridges on the State Highway System, extending from Newark to Wildwood.

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