A public information center has been set up for residents, homeowners, and stakeholders in Toms River to discuss and ask questions about development alternatives for the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge.

The Chadwick Beach Island Bridge carries Strickland Boulevard over the Inward Thoroughfare of Barnegat Bay. The structure connects Chadwick Beach Island with the main barrier island between the Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The bridge also connects the mainland to over 360 homes on the island.

Ocean County Freehold John P. Kelly, who also serves as the Director of Law and Public Safety says, "the public information centers are a (sic) integral part of the preliminary steps we need in order to get federal funding for this project."

Kelly goes on to mention that he encourages residents year-round to and seasonal, along with officials and interested parties to attend and be apart of the dialogue.

The information center is scheduled for Monday, July 29th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Mancini Room in the Main Branch of the Ocean County Library.

The existing structure is an all-timber bridge with a timber substructure that was erected in the 1950s. Its existing timber substructure was replaced in 1985, and today there are signs of deterioration of the timber bulkhead.

Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines says, "it's important that we begin the process to restore the structural and operational integrity of the span so that ultimately it will be safer and stronger."

Further information, and a community input survey, on the project, can be found at www.chadwickbeachbridge.com.

Vin Ebenau contributed to this report.

Mark Anthony is a reporter for Townsquare Media: Mark.Kowalski@townsquaremedia.com

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