🌉 Replacement of the 9th Street Bridge – Ocean City, NJ
A Modern Gateway to Ocean City
The replacement of the 9th Street Bridge — part of the Route 52 Causeway — was one of the largest transportation infrastructure projects in Ocean City’s modern history.
Connecting the island to Somers Point, the bridge serves as a primary access route for residents, visitors, emergency services, and seasonal traffic. By the early 2000s, the original mid-20th-century structure had reached the end of its service life and required full replacement.
Why Replacement Was Necessary
The previous 9th Street Bridge, originally constructed in the early 1930s and later modified, faced increasing structural and operational challenges:
Aging concrete and steel components
Narrow travel lanes
Limited shoulders
Structural fatigue from decades of heavy traffic
High maintenance costs
Traffic volumes had significantly increased compared to the bridge’s original design capacity, particularly during peak summer months.
Engineering assessments determined that full replacement was more cost-effective and safer than continued rehabilitation.
The Route 52 Causeway Project
The 9th Street Bridge replacement was part of a broader Route 52 Causeway reconstruction project led by the
New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The multi-year project included:
Construction of new parallel bridges
Demolition of aging spans
Upgraded traffic lanes
Bicycle and pedestrian pathways
Improved safety barriers
Modernized lighting and drainage systems
The new design significantly improved traffic flow and structural resilience.
Phased Construction Strategy
To maintain access to Ocean City during construction, the project was executed in stages:
New bridges were built alongside the existing structure.
Traffic was shifted onto the new spans.
The old bridge was demolished.
This phased approach minimized disruption to seasonal tourism and emergency access.
Engineering Improvements
The new 9th Street Bridge system features:
Wider travel lanes
Dedicated shoulders
Shared-use pedestrian and bicycle paths
Modern load-bearing capacity
Enhanced storm resistance
The bridge was designed to accommodate future traffic demands while meeting updated safety and engineering standards.
Historical Significance
Since rail and early wooden bridges first connected Ocean City to the mainland, transportation infrastructure has shaped the island’s development.
The replacement of the 9th Street Bridge represents a modern chapter in that evolution — ensuring safe, reliable access to the island for decades to come.
For Ocean City residents, the bridge is more than a roadway; it is the primary gateway to the island community.
Mayor Harry Headley turning the first spade of soil for construction of the new 9th Street Bridge. Early 1930's
8.1.2006 A view of the field office area, looking east from Somers Point Circle
8.1.2006 A view of the field office complex, looking towards the bay from Somers Mansion
8.2.2006 The contractor's surveyor is operating a One Man Total Station Robotic Instrument
8.2.2006 The field office area is being set up adjacent to Goll Avenue, Shore Road and Somers Point Circle
8.2.2006 The survey control is being verified on Garrets Island
9.27.2006 Preparing to install temporary sheeting at Beach Thorofare barge access
10.11.2006 Fill being placed to build temporary wall and ramp adjacent to the existing roadway at Elbow Island
10.11.2006 Snooper truck is being used to provide access to the underside of the existing bridge
10.19.2006 The 80' long test pile is being lifted into position to be driven into the ground
10.25.2006 Concrete pile being loaded on to a barge
10.30.2006 80 foot test pile driven into the ground
10.30.2006 Installation of coated permanent sheeting black adjacent to the temporary sheeting brown at the barge access area at Garrets Island
10.30.2006 Temporary retaining wall is being constructed to provide material storage and staging area at Garrets Island
10.30.2006 Temporary retaining wall is being constructed to provide material storage and staging area at Garrets Island
10.30.2006 Temporary retaining wall is being constructed to provide material storage and staging area at Garrets Island
10.30.2006 Temporary retaining wall is being constructed to provide material storage and staging area at Garrets Island
12.13.2006 The contractor is unloading concrete piles at the barge access area on Garretts Channel
12.14.2006 Preparations are being made for the static load test of one of the piles at Rainbow Channel
12.15.2006 View of the temporary bridge being used by the contractor across Elbow Thorofare
12.20.2006 Across from the existing Visitor Center on Garretts Island, the fill for the temporary ramp is being graded
12.26.2006 A permanent Variable Message Sign will be installed at the Garden State Parkway
1.3.2007 Crews install cofferdam on Rainbow Channel
1.3.2007 STATNAMIC load testing is being performed on the VibroCore concrete shaft on Rainbow Island
1.5.2007 VibroCore concrete shaft on Rainbow Island
1.17.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews installed high strength geosynthetic fabric and fill was placed on top
2.1.2007 Crews work on reinforcing the pier columns
2.1.2007 Crews work on reinforcing the pier columns
2.28.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews installed high strength geosynthetic fabric and fill was placed on top
2.28.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews work on the concrete piles
3.9.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews work on the construction of the footing
3.12.2007 Crews construct the VibroCore concrete shaft on Rainbow Island
3.12.2007 Crews construct the VibroCore concrete shaft on Rainbow Island2
3.12.2007 Crews work on the construction of the VibroCore concrete shaft
3.21.2007 On Garrets Island, formworks are readied for the pier cap installation
4.3.2007 Crews work on the geogrid layout
4.3.2007 On Rainbow Island, the swale is being constructed
4.5.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews work on the construction of the pier cap
4.10.2007 On Rainbow Island, the pier cap formwork is constructed
4.17.2007 On Rainbow Island, crews work on the concrete piles
4.20.2007 Crews work on the construction of the bridge columns
5.2.2007 On Rainbow Channel, the reinforcing steel for the pier cap is being installed
5.11.2007 Crews work on the installation of the pier cap form work on Garrets Island
5.11.2007 Crews work on the installation of the pier cap form work on Garrets Island
5.15.2007 This view is of the Route 52 north and southbound piers on Rainbow Channel
5.15.2007 This view is of the Route 52 northbound piers on Rainbow Channel
5.23.2007 Crews work on placing a 140 foot long I beam on Garrets Island
6.12.2007 Crews are constructing the bridge deck on Route 52 northbound
6.15.2007 The concrete I beam has been installed on one of the 14 spans over the Rainbow Channel
6.19.2007 Crews are working on constructing a temporary ramp
6.21.2007 Crews are constructing the bridge deck over Rainbow Channel
6.21.2007 Crews are working on constructing the retaining wall on Rainbow Island
7.6.2007 Crews work to lift a concrete I beam into place
7.13.2007 View of the Route 52 northbound bridge on Rainbow Island
7.16.2007 Crews work on constructing a temporary ramp on Garrets Island
7.19.2007 A barge is delivering concrete for a pour on the Route 52 northbound bridge
7.19.2007 Crews work on the concrete deck pour on the Route 52 northbound bridge
8.1.2007 Crews install steel reinforcement for the Route 52 southbound pier column on Rainbow Channel
8.1.2007 This retaining wall with temporary drainage outfall pipe is on Rainbow Island
8.7.2007 View of the Route 52 northbound bridge span on Rainbow Channel
8.9.2007 This precast concrete deck panel is being installed on the Route 52 northbound bridge
8.15.2007 View of the south abutment and Route 52 northbound bridge spans near Rainbow Island
8.25.2007 Crews install battered piles on Rainbow Island
8.25.2007 Crews install concrete piles for the north abutment on Rainbow Island
9.5.2007 This is a view of the Route 52 northbound bridge spans on Rainbow Channel
9.5.2007 This is a view of the Route 52 piers on Rainbow Channel
9.6.2007 Crews work on the concrete deck pour on the Route 52 northbound bridge
9.12.2007 Crews work on installing the reinforcing steel for the pier cap on Rainbow Channel
9.13.2007 Crews work on installing the diaphragm bars on the I-beams on the Route 52 northound bridge
9.13.2007 Crews work on lifting a concrete I beam into place
9.20.2007 Crews install concrete piles on Rainbow Channel
9.24.2007 Crews install bearing seats on a pier cap on Rainbow Channel
9.25.2007 Crews work on the Route 52 northbound bridge next to the southbound piers on Rainbow Channel
9.30.2007 Aerial views of the Route 52 Bridge construction on Rainbow Channel
9.30.2007 Aerial views of the Route 52 Bridge construction on Rainbow Channel2
10.1.2007 This is a view of the Route 52 northbound roadway embankment on Rainbow Island
11.21.2007 Crews saw cut a concrete pile on Elbow Thorofare
11.21.2007 Crews work on a concrete pour for the pile cap on Elbow Thorofare
11.21.2007 The pier cap form work is installed on Elbow Thorofare
11.26.2007 The pier cap work is being lifted onto Elbow Thorofare
11.27.2007 The reinforcing steel for the pier cap is being lifted onto Elbow Thorofare
11.30.2007 Crews work on a concrete pour for the pile cap on Elbow Channel
12.6.2007 Crews saw cut the bridge deck on the Route 52 northbound bridge
12.10.2007 Crews work on constructing the roadway on Rainbow Island
12.10.2007 The Route 52 northbound bridge deck over Rainbow Channel is open to traffic
12.10.2007 The temporary ramp on Garrets Island is open to traffic
12.17.2009 Crews are getting ready to pour concrete for the bridge footing on Garrets Island.
1.28.2008 A concrete I-beam is being lifted into place
1.28.2008 Crews install steel sheeting for the west bulkhead on Rainbow Island
1.28.2008 Crews remove the temporary trestle on Elbow Thorofare
1.28.2008 Crews work on the demolition of the Route 52 bridge over Rainbow Channel with the newly constructed Route 52 northbound bridge deck on the far left
1.28.2008 Crews work on the demolition of the Route 52 bridge over Rainbow Channel with the newly constructed Route 52 northbound bridge deck on the far right
1.28.2008 Crews work on the Route 52 southbound bridge on Rainbow Island
2.14.2008 A section of the existing causeway over Rainbow Channel was removed with the newly constructed Route 52 northbound bridge deck on the right.
2.14.2008 Crews are preparing to install wick drains on the Rainbow Island embankment.
2.14.2008 Crews installing wick drains for the Route 52 southbound embankment.
2.14.2008 Crews place temporary formwork on the fascia of the northbound bridge deck in preparation for pouring the bridge deck.
2.14.2008 Crews work on the demolition of the first span of the existing Route 52 causeway over Rainbow Channel from a barge mounted crane.
2.14.2008 The existing Route 52 bridge over Elbow Thorofare is being slammed by waves on a windy day. The Route 52 northbound bridge deck is being constructed on the right.
3.31.2008 Crews are installing the parapet on the southbound bridge deck
3.31.2008 This is a view of the completed Route 52 northbound bridge with formwork for the southbound bridge footings in the foreground.
3.31.2008 This is a view of the steel sheeting at the west bulkhead along Access Driveway on Rainbow Island.
3.31.2008 This is a view of the temporary crossover ramp on Rainbow Island.
3.31.2008 This retaining wall supports the Route 52 southbound embankment on Rainbow Island.
4.23.2008 Crews are driving sheet piles for the west bulkhead adjacent to the recently constructed piers for the southbound bridge.
4.23.2008 Crews are placing bituminous pavement on the temporary ramp
4.23.2008 Crews are pouring the footing of a southbound pier from the bridge deck to of the northbound bridge.
4.23.2008 Piles for the southbound bridge are being installed inside a cofferdam.
4.23.2008 The columns for a southbound pier is being formed and poured. To the left, precast concrete girders are being delivered. To the right, sheet piles are being driven in preparation
4.23.2008 The prestressed concrete girder is being lifted into place on the southbound bridge adjacent to the west bulkhead (on left).
5.21.2008 Crews are pouring the southbound bridge deck. The northbound bridge deck is shown on the right, is already in service and open to vehicular traffic.
5.21.2008 Crews work with hand tools to finish the concrete deck during a deck pour adjacent to the southbound barrier curb while the screed machine progresses along the deck.
5.21.2008 Landscape planting was done at the newly constructed Malibu Beach public parking and access area.
5.21.2008 The battered prestressed concrete piles for the abutment are being driven adjacent to the previously installed west bulkhead, which is shown in the background.
5.21.2008 The reinforcement has been placed and crews are now installing the cooling pipes within the southbound footing in preparation for pouring the concrete. Temperatures can get as hot
6.30.2008 A crew is preparing the bridge seat of the southbound bridge abutment for the subsequent installation of the bearings.
6.30.2008 Contractor installing precast deck panels on the southbound bridge deck. Steel angles embedded into the top flanges of the girders are being used to support the precast deck panel
6.30.2008 Contractors installing intermediate diaphragm steel between the prestressed concrete girders on the southbound bridge.
6.30.2008 Prestressed concrete girder placement on the southbound bridge (2)
6.30.2008 Southbound bridge deck construction showing installation of a modular joint. Shown on the right is the northbound bridge deck already in service and open to vehicular traffic.
7.31.2008 A temporary access ramp is being constructed for the southbound bridge deck.
7.31.2008 Crews are constucting curbing on the southbound bridge deck near the Visitors Center.
7.31.2008 Crews are installing vibro conrete column load transfer mat on the southbound bridge approach on Rainbow Island.
7.31.2008 This view is of the northbound bridge over Rainbow Channel.
7.31.2008 This view is of the southbound bridge over Rainbow Channel.
7.31.2008 Vibro concrete column construction is taking place on Rainbow Island.
8.20.2008 Crews are constructing a southbound abutment footing.
8.20.2008 Crews are installing concrete piles for the southbound bridge over Rainbow Channel.
8.20.2008 Crews work on removing the existing timber bulkhead within the cofferdam.
8.20.2008 Demolition is taking place on the existing Rainbow Bridge.
8.20.2008 The pier cap is being constructed on the southbound bridge over Rainbow Channel.
9.29.2008 Concrete is poured for a pier cap on the Route 52 southbound bridge over Rainbow Channel
9.29.2008 Crews work on the construction of the retaining wall along the Rainbow Island access driveway
9.29.2008 Crews work on the construction of the southbound fill section and access driveway over Rainbow Channel.
9.29.2008 The Route 52 northbound bridge is open to vehicular traffic. On the left is the southbound bridge construction.
9.29.2008 This view is of the shared use walkway with the pedestrian railing and the southbound bridge deck.
9.29.2008 This view is of the water quality basin under the bridge structure on Rainbow Island.
11.11.2008 Crews install a load transfer mat above vibro concrete columns on Rainbow Island. This was required to prevent future settlement of the soil within this area.
11.11.2008 Crews remove the existing timber pile to allow for the construction of the proposed structure.
11.11.2008 The Route 52 bridge as seen from Somers Point.
11.11.2008 This view is of the completed Route 52 northbound bridge over Rainbow Channel with cofferdams for the southbound bridge footings in the foreground.
11.11.2008 This view is of the future access driveway on Rainbow Island. On the left is the permanent retaining wall with architectural features and on the right is the west bulkhead
12.29.2008 Crews drive sheet piles which form the outline of the future access driveway.
12.29.2008 Crews install the median barrier on the Route 52 southbound bridge adjacent to the northbound bridge.
12.29.2008 The Route 52 southbound bridge piers are being cast in place adjacent to the northbound bridge, which is already in service and open to vehiclular traffic (on right).
12.29.2008 This view is of the completed Route 52 bridge over Rainbow Channel after both the northbound and southbound structures have been completed.
12.29.2008 This view is of the Route 52 bridge piers on Rainbow Channel.