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Dorset Avenue Bridge

Coordinates: 39°20′30″N 74°28′42″W / 39.34167°N 74.47833°W / 39.34167; -74.47833
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Dorset Avenue Bridge
Coordinates39°20′30″N 74°28′42″W / 39.34167°N 74.47833°W / 39.34167; -74.47833
CarriesCR 629
CrossesInner Thorofare
Intracoastal Waterway
LocaleVentnor City
New Jersey
Maintained byAtlantic County
ID number01V0001[1]
Characteristics
DesignStrauss bascule
MaterialSteel/concrete
Total length220.2 ft (67.1 m)
Width36.1 ft (11.0 m) (deck)
16 ft (4.9 m) (sidewalks)
Longest span79.1 ft (24.1 m)
No. of spans3
Clearance below9 ft (2.7 m)[2][3]
History
DesignerA.H. Nelson
Opened1929
Location
Map

The Dorset Avenue Bridge is a vehicular bridge in Ventnor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, south of in Atlantic City. The double-leaf Strauss trunnion bascule drawbridge spans the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Inside Thorofare (MP 72.1) and carries CR 629 (MP 3.2) in Ventnor Heights and St Leonard's Tract on Absecon Island.

History and status

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The bridge opened in 1929. The bridge underwent substantial rehabilitation in 1994, with much of its mechanical functions replaced, while the "look" of the bridge was maintained.[4] At each corner are concrete buildings now used as the operators' house, a storage room, machine room, and comfort stations.[5][6]

A historic bridge survey conducted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) from 1991 to 1994 determined that the bridge was eligible for listing on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.[5] In February 2016, the State Historic Preservation Office filed its opinion (#5516). [7][8]

The bridge was severely damaged when electronic controls were flooded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.[9]

Operations

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The bridge is owned and operated by Atlantic County and is staffed full-time.[10] Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations require it open on signal except from June 1 through September 30, between 9:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m., when the draw need only open at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Interim Bridge Report" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Transportation. August 9, 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Dorset Avenue Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Dorset Avenue Bridge". Waterway Guide Bridge Listing. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  4. ^ Kreppel, Richard C. (1996). "Rehabilitation of the Dorset Avenue Bridge" (PDF). heavymovablestructures.org. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Historic Bridge Survey (1991-1994)" (PDF). NJDOT. 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Historic Bridge Rehabilitation Case Studies – A-F – Historic Bridge Foundation". historicbridgefoundation.com. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  7. ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places". New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  8. ^ Richman, Steven M. (16 March 2005). The Bridges of New Jersey: Portraits of Garden State Crossings. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813537825. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  9. ^ SMITH, SHAUN. "Bridge attendants crank it up". Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  10. ^ Writer, SARAH WATSON, Staff. "Tidal Tales: Keepers of the drawbridge often alone, always alert". Retrieved 23 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Title 33 → Chapter I → Subchapter J → Part 117 → 7.33 (g)". May 18, 2018. The draw of the Dorset Avenue Bridge across Inside Thorofare, mile 72.1 at Ventnor City, shall open on signal except that from June 1 through September 30, from 9:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m., the draw need only open at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour.