Editing New Jersey Route 13

{{Short description|State highway in New Jersey, US}}
{{about|the current New Jersey Route 13|the Route 13 that existed before 1927|New Jersey Route 27}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Good article}}
{{redirect-synonym|NJ 13|[[New Jersey's 13th congressional district]]}}
{{infobox road
|state=NJ
|type=NJ
|route=13
|map={{maplink-road}}
|map_custom=yes
|alternate_name=Bridge Avenue
|established=1953
|length_mi=0.56
|length_ref=<ref name="sld">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/00000013__-.pdf|title=Route 13 Straight Line Diagram|year=2009|publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation|pages=1|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref>
|direction_a=West
|terminus_a={{jct|state=NJ|CR|632|county1=Ocean}} in [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant]]
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{jct|state=NJ|CR|632|county1=Ocean}} in [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]]
|counties=[[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]]
|previous_type=NJ
|previous_route=12
|next_type=NJ
|next_route=14
}}
'''Route 13''' is a short [[state highway]] in the communities of [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant]] and [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]], [[New Jersey]], both of which are in [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean County]]. The route consists of the '''Lovelandtown Bridge''', a [[vertical-lift bridge]] over the [[Point Pleasant Canal]], and a part of Bridge Avenue, which is mostly maintained by the county as [[County Route 632 (Ocean County, New Jersey)|County Route&nbsp;632]] (CR&nbsp;632). The route was [[unsigned highway|unsigned]] until new mileposts were installed in 2017. Route&nbsp;13 was designated in the [[1953 New Jersey state highway renumbering]] as a re-designation of '''Route&nbsp;13E''' from Hollywood Boulevard to Bay Avenue.

The route was first assigned in 1938, when the state took over maintenance of the fifth segment of Ocean County Route&nbsp;13 built in 1929, intending it to reach old [[New Jersey Route 37|Route&nbsp;37]] (now part of [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]]) in Bay Head from Beaver Dam Road, a distance of {{convert|1.76|mi|km}}. The takeover did not reach that point, and the bridge and its approaches count for {{convert|0.56|mi|km}} of the intended length. The original bridge collapsed in 1962, and a temporary structure was erected later that year. Planning for a permanent replacement bridge continued for several years until construction finally began in 1970. This structure opened in 1972, but closed immediately afterward due to a failure of the lift mechanism, which was fixed by the end of the year. In late 2004, the bridge and its approaches received a rehabilitation.

==Route description==
[[File:2018-09-19 16 05 37 View east along New Jersey State Route 13 and Ocean County Route 632 (Bridge Avenue) just west of Rue Lido and Hollywood Boulevard in Point Pleasant, Ocean County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|View east at milepost 0 at the west end of Route&nbsp;13 in Point Pleasant]]
Route&nbsp;13 begins at an intersection where CR&nbsp;632 meets Hollywood Boulevard in [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant]]. There, the state-maintenance begins. The route heads eastward along Bridge Avenue, passing to the south of local businesses and to the north of local residences. There, Route&nbsp;13 begins a curve to the northeast onto the Lovelandtown Bridge approach, passing a marina before reaching the [[Point Pleasant Canal]] (part of the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]) and heading onto a [[lift bridge]] called the Lovelandtown Bridge. After crossing the canal, Route&nbsp;13 parallels Elm Avenue for a short distance before turning away to the southeast. The route heads into downtown [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]], where it reaches an intersection with Bay Avenue, which is its eastern terminus. CR&nbsp;632 continues eastward to [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]]. Route&nbsp;13 is concurrent with CR&nbsp;632 for its entire length.<ref name="sld" /><ref>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.071143,-74.0630983/1639+Bay+Ave,+Bay+Head,+NJ+08742/@40.0718185,-74.061117,597m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c185c0345a4b55:0x578b8dcda25caed5!2m2!1d-74.0547586!2d40.0718584!3e0|title=Overview of New Jersey Route 13|access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref>

==History==
===Designation===
{{infobox road small
|state=NJ
|type=NJ 1926
|county=
|route=13E
|location= [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]]
|length_mi=
|length_round=
|length_ref=
|formed=July 2, 1938<ref name="nj13e" />
|deleted=1953<ref name="nj1953" />
}}
Originally, the Lovelandtown Bridge was constructed in 1929 to create a continuous route along Bridge Avenue.<ref name="ptpleasant">{{cite web|url=http://mysite.verizon.net/ppbhistory/time_canal.htm|title=The Point Pleasant Canal|year=2009|publisher=Point Pleasant Historical Society|access-date=September 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010142420/http://mysite.verizon.net/ppbhistory/time_canal.htm|archive-date=October 10, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Route&nbsp;13 originated as an alignment of Ocean County Route&nbsp;13-E, a highway maintained by the county. In 1938, the state legislated a takeover of the fifth segment of the county route, a portion of highway from old [[New Jersey Route 37|Route&nbsp;37]] (now part of [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]]) at Bay Head to an intersection with Beaver Dam Road, including the Lovelandtown Bridge. The route was to be {{convert|1.76|mi|km}} long,<ref name="1938law">{{cite book|last=General Assembly|first=New Jersey|title=OCEAN COUNTY ROUTE 13-E. Beginning at highway Route&nbsp;37 at Bay Head and continuing one and seventy-six one-hundredth (1.76) miles to the Beaver Dam road, in the boroughs of Point Pleasant and Bay Head, county of Ocean, and to include the Lovelandtown bridge across the Manasquan canal now under the jurisdiction of the Board of Commerce and Navigation, passing all right and title therein to the State Highway Commissioner.|publisher=New Jersey State Legislature|year=1938|pages=541–1|chapter=238}}</ref> and the designation came into effect on July 2, 1938.<ref name="nj13e">{{cite news |title=State Controls Shore Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27673828/nj_13e_july_2_1938/ |access-date=January 26, 2019 |work=The Daily Record |date=July 2, 1938 |location=[[Long Branch, New Jersey]] |page=12|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the extension to Route&nbsp;37 was never constructed. In the 1953 renumbering, the state dropped the suffix and renumbered the bridge and its approaches as Route&nbsp;13. (Incidentally, the portion of Route 37 within Bay Head—running from Point Pleasant to Seaside Heights—was renumbered as Route 35 during the same highway renumbering.)<ref name="nj1953">{{Cite journal|title=1953 renumbering|url=http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering|publisher=New Jersey Department of Highways|access-date=July 31, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183145/http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1953_New_Jersey_state_highway_renumbering|archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref>

=== Lovelandtown Bridge rebuild===
==== Collapse and demands for new bridge (1962&ndash;1964) ====
[[File:Lovelandtown bridge collapse over the Point Pleasant Canal in 1962.jpg|left|thumb|The damaged sections of the old Lovelandtown Bridge]]
By 1960, the usefulness of the Lovelandtown Bridge came into question. The [[New Jersey State Highway Department]] felt that the bridge was structurally safe and able to support up to 20&nbsp;tons (18.14&nbsp;tonnes). However, local officials felt the bridge was unsafe, especially for vehicles such as [[school bus]]es. Additionally, the bridge, which was supported by wooden pilings, was starting to fail and erode. The expected failure occurred during the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]] on March&nbsp;5, when the storm and tides on the Intracostal Waterway wiped out a section of the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Erred in Verdict on Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45891622/lovelandtown-bridge-march-9-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 9, 1962 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> A temporary structure to replace the bridge opened in May&nbsp;1962.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Loveland Town Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45893830/nj-13-bridge-may-25-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 25, 1962 |page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In the meantime, proposals were made for a permanent replacement structure. Early proposals noted the bridge would take about three months to rebuild.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shore Still Taking Damage Inventory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23525547/app-march-11-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 11, 1962 |page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant]] Police Chief William Beecroft, who voiced concerns about the integrity of the bridge in 1960 and 1962, proposed a new tunnel across the Intracoastal Waterway to replace the [[New Jersey Route 88|Route&nbsp;88]] and Route&nbsp;13 bridges. Beecroft speculated that the new tunnel would be cheaper to build in the long run and make things easier for emergency vehicles who would not have to deal with drawbridges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Point Pleasant Asks Tunnel Under Canal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892192/route-13-tunnel-august-11-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=August 11, 1962 |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The State Highway Department considered a new tunnel for Route&nbsp;13, but quickly discarded the idea by October due to excessive costs, though Beecroft would bring it up again as an option if there were a hearing.<ref name="oct1962">{{cite news |title=Await Word From State on Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45893525/nj-13-bridge-october-1-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 1, 1962 |page=50|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In November&nbsp;1962, the State Highway Department made plans to build a new {{convert|45|ft|m}} high fixed structure over the waterway. However, this plan was opposed by multiple agencies and individuals because yachts would be unable to use the waterway with a fixed structure. One of these was [[New Jersey State Assembly|Assemblyman]] William T. Hiering, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] from [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean County]] who asked the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] to hold a public hearing on such a bridge; this hearing would occur on December&nbsp;27.<ref>{{cite news |title=Span Hearing Dec. 27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892227/nj-13-bridge-december-20-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Coast Star |date=December 20, 1962 |location=[[Manasquan, New Jersey]] |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hiering Asks for Hearing for Bridge Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892812/nj-13-november-1-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 1, 1962 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the State Highway Department also supported an option for a {{convert|30|ft|m}} high drawbridge that would accommodate yacht users and only have to be opened once in a while. Such a plan would cost about $2&nbsp;million.<ref name="oct1962" />

By February&nbsp;1964, the State Highway Department switched its plan to a [[vertical-lift bridge]]. This new bridge would be able to open to as high as {{convert|100|ft|m}} in the air and allow room for yachts to go through.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46578297/lovelandtown-february-28-1964/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=February 28, 1964 |page=7|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The delay in action by the Highway Department was being slammed by the borough of Point Pleasant by December&nbsp;1964. Dr. Ronald V. Crescenzo, one of the members of the borough council wanted a bus ban over the replaced structure until a new one could be built. The borough also wanted to be absolved of any responsibility and liability in case of another structural failure. They did, however, support a new vertical-lift bridge with the {{convert|25|ft|m}} high lift that could raise to {{convert|70|ft|m}} in the air.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge Delay is Attacked |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46578510/lovelandtown-delays-december-2-1964/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 2, 1964 |page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

==== Added pressure (1965&ndash;1966) ====
[[File:NJ 13 Lovelandtown Bridge (1).jpg|right|thumb|Heading westbound onto the Lovelandtown Bridge, which is most of Route&nbsp;13's alignment]]
More complaints came from higher officials in September&nbsp;1965, when a resident of [[Fair Lawn, New Jersey|Fair Lawn]] drove off the temporary Lovelandtown Bridge and died. The car crashed through the wooden railings of the bridge and landed in the canal below. The driver's death sparked the attention of [[New Jersey Senate|State Senator]] [[Wayne Dumont]] and Point Pleasant Mayor Walter B. Brown; they deemed the bridge a traffic hazard and pressured [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Richard J. Hughes]] to speed up construction. Dumont also claimed that the previous governor's administration provided money for the new bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dumont Flays Hughes After Highway Death |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46578896/lovelandtown-bridge-september-8-1965/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Paterson Morning Call |date=September 8, 1965 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the State Highway Department claimed that no money was ever allocated for such use.<ref>{{cite news |title=Says Road Death May Have Been Prevented |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46579217/lovelandtown-bridge-september-9-1965/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Red Bank Daily Register |date=September 9, 1965 |page=22|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In December&nbsp;1965, the borough of Point Pleasant noted that meetings between them, Ocean County and the State Highway Department would be conducted on December&nbsp;9 or December&nbsp;16, to discuss a new Lovelandtown Bridge. Chief Beecroft, who previously wanted a tunnel crossing, noted buses were taken off the temporary structure for safety.<ref>{{cite news |title=Borough Sets 2 Dates for Bridge Talks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46687357/lovelandtown-bridge-december-1-1965/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 1, 1965 |page=20|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By December&nbsp;3, Point Pleasant announced that the meeting would take place on December&nbsp;16.<ref>{{cite news |title=Point Pleasant Seeks Parley About Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46687389/lovelandtown-bridge-december-4-1965/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 4, 1965 |page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In January&nbsp;1966, the [[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection|New Jersey State Conservation Department]] approved the plans of the State Highway Department for the construction of a new Lovelandtown Bridge. This new bridge would need a {{convert|60|ft|m}} horizontal clearance and a vertical clearance of {{convert|65|ft|m}} to help navigation through the canal. Bridge Avenue would be moved north for the new bridge, with the construction of a new alignment. This would help eliminate curves that were considered dangerous to the old bridge. However, the bridge was still subject to the approval of a United States Engineer in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Canal Bridge Approval Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46687767/lovelandtown-bridge-january-14-1966/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Long Branch Daily Record |date=January 14, 1966 |page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> These plans reached the United States Army Corps of Engineers in April&nbsp;1966, when they announced openings for anyone who had opposition to the project.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army Weighs Bridge Route Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46688054/lovelandtown-april-21-1966/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=April 21, 1966 |page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By the deadline of May&nbsp;16, no objections were filed with the engineers on the new bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Objections Received to Bridge Plan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46688381/lovelandtown-may-17-1966/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 17, 1966 |page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In July&nbsp;1966, the state announced that they were ready to begin construction of a new Lovelandtown Bridge, but they would have to wait until the Army Corps of Engineers announced their full approval of the project. The state felt that a new bridge would not be finished until 1968, but would at least get approval within a span of four to six weeks. However, the bridge alignment changed in April to have an {{convert|80|ft|m}} vertical clearance due to new regulations for future expansion of the canal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Story of Bridge Nearing Climax |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46688521/lovelandtown-bridge-july-25-1966/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=July 25, 1966 |page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

====Design and funding problems (1967&ndash;1968)====
However, despite the four to six week timeline, the Army Corps of Engineers did not sign off on the new Lovelandtown Bridge until January&nbsp;26, 1967. The new bridge would have a vertical clearance of {{convert|30|ft|m}} when closed and {{convert|65|ft|m}} when raised. The span would be {{convert|80|ft|m}} wide for boats and barges to clear. The newly-renamed [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] (NJDOT) said design, planning and construction would take about 18&nbsp;months. Mayor Brown noted that he was happy and was willing to even bring his shovel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army Approves Construction of New Lovelandtown Span |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46701263/lovelandtown-bridge-january-27-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 27, 1967 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Survey work by the Army Corps of Engineers began in July&nbsp;1967, for the design of the new bridge over the waterway. NJDOT also hired a [[New York City|New York]] firm to do the survey work.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army Begins Pt. Pleasant Span Survey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46702457/lovelandtown-bridge-july-20-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=July 20, 1967 |page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Less than a month later, the mechanisms to help open the Lovelandtown Bridge to marine traffic broke on August&nbsp;16, resulting in a seven-hour closure of the bridge and several days of repairs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Repairs Completed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46702782/lovelandtown-bridge-august-22-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=August 22, 1967 |page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The Army Corps completed their survey work in the canal in November&nbsp;1967.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army Completes Survey of Canal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46702984/lovelandtown-bridge-november-28-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 28, 1967 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

By December&nbsp;1967, NJDOT moved test borings to the Bureau of Navigation offices to make plans for the new Lovelandtown Bridge ones. The offices would end up being relocated as part of the construction of the new bridge, due to be finished in 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Test Borings |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46702732/lovelandtown-bridge-december-18-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 18, 1967 |page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The Board of Adjustment chair for the borough of Point Pleasant noted that they should pressure the state to move their schedule up in response to the collapse of the [[Silver Bridge]] in [[Point Pleasant, West Virginia|Point Pleasant]], [[West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bond Issue Sold By Pt. Pleasant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46703576/lovelandtown-bridge-december-20-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 20, 1967 |page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the state announced that they did move their timeline up and expected a replacement to be finished now in 1970, since design problems were avoided during that period. The state also noted that the new bridge would require the condemnation of as many as 20&nbsp;houses.<ref>{{cite news |title=States Sees Bridge Job Speeded Up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46703538/lovelandtown-december-30-1967/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 30, 1967 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Drilling into the Point Pleasant Canal began on January&nbsp;2, 1968, when NJDOT inserted borings for new bridge supports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Span Footing Tests Start |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46704028/lovelandtown-bridge-january-3-1968/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 3, 1968 |page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

However, by September&nbsp;1968, Point Pleasant wanted to know why the $2&nbsp;million set aside by the state for construction of the new bridge had been shifted to help facilitate the [[Aldene Plan]] in [[Union County, New Jersey|Union County]]. The new bridge, now costing $4&nbsp;million (1968&nbsp;[[USD]]), no longer was in the funding for the state. The borough demanded an answer from Governor Hughes, which did not come with answers. Hughes noted that if the state voters passed a new [[bond issue]], the Lovelandtown Bridge would be a top priority. This was in direct conflict with a promise by the State Highway Department in 1966, that money for the new bridge would be non-reliant on a bond issue or other strings. The borough demanded that Commissioner David Goldberg meet with borough officials to get the missing answers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Parley Due on Span at Pt. Pleasant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46704330/lovelandtown-bridge-september-29-1968/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Sunday Press |date=September 29, 1968 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46704637/lovelandtown-bridge-september-29-1968/ 75]|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

That meeting would be scheduled for October&nbsp;8, 1968, at the offices for Goldberg in Trenton, with Mayor Brown heading out to discuss the problems.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Conference Scheduled Tuesday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46704786/lovelandtown-bridge-october-2-1968/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 2, 1968 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Brown noted to the press that he wanted $4&nbsp;million of $114&nbsp;million earmarked for new railcars as part of the Aldene Plan to be shifted to a new bridge. He also noted that multiple members of the State Legislature, including Senator Hiering, along with Benjamin Mabie and John Brown of the Assembly would introduce legislation to help get funding earmarked immediately for the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Officials Plan Meeting on Bond Issue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46704957/lovelandtown-bridge-october-7-1968/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 7, 1968 |page=14|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Brown's attitude changed once the meeting with Goldberg ended, feeling that Goldberg had been unsympathetic to their concerns and problems with the change in funding. Brown told the ''[[Asbury Park Press|Asbury Park Evening Press]]'' that Goldberg gave them a "snow job" and would still force them to rely on the November&nbsp;5 bond issue of $640&nbsp;million for transportation work. Mabie, Brown and Hiering noted that they would introduce their response bills once the Legislature reconvened after the election. Goldberg disagreed stating that even if the bond issue failed with the voters, he would have $40&nbsp;million in funding and the odds of funding would be 5&ndash;1 for the project. Mabie, along with Chief Beecroft intended to vote against the bond issue on November&nbsp;5. Brown, still concerned the bridge was going to fall into the canal again, was refuted by Goldberg who stated it is safe and would close it if he felt it was not.<ref>{{cite news |title='Snow Job' Charged in Span Parley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46705252/lovelandtown-bridge-october-9-1968/ |access-date=March 14, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 9, 1968 |pages=1-[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46705486/lovelandtown-bridge-october-9-1968/ 2]|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

==== Funding and land acquisition (1968&ndash;1969) ====
With the money for the Lovelandtown Bridge construction reliant on passing of the public bond issue, Senator Hiering showed his support for the new bond to help pay for transportation projects.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hiering in Favor of Bond Proposals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46811895/hiering-bond-october-18-1968/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 18, 1968 |page=29|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Assemblyman Brown, though not public, opposed the new bond issue. He was concerned that Ocean County would be left out of most of its benefits, and he also felt there was voter discontent. Mabie, however, continued to show his support and optimism for the new bond issue,<ref>{{cite news |title=Passage of Bond Issues Believed in the Balance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46736349/lovelandtown-bond-november-3-1968/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Sunday Press |date=November 3, 1968 |page=22|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> which passed on November&nbsp;5, 1968, by 502,415 votes.<ref>{{cite news | access-date=March 16, 2020 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46812353/bond-issue-november-6-1968/ | title=Bond Questions Approved Easily | via=Newspapers.com | work=The Asbury Park Evening Press | date=November 6, 1968}}</ref> NJDOT then promised a multitude of projects in Ocean County, including construction on [[New Jersey Route 37|Routes&nbsp;37]] and [[New Jersey Route 72|72]] and the Lovelandtown Bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fast Action Vowed on Road Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46736483/lovelandtown-bond-november-23-1968/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 23, 1968 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In January&nbsp;1969, the New Jersey State Legislature approved to spend $242&nbsp;million of the new bond issue. $110&nbsp;million would go to the construction of transportation projects immediately, including the Lovelandtown Bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bond Issue Spending Bill Approved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46812779/bond-issue-january-15-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 15, 1969 |page=38|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> In late January, the state started notifying property owners in the way of the new bridge and approach about the condemnation of their properties. Property owners noted they had 90&nbsp;days to negotiate with the state about proper return values. The ''Asbury Park Evening Press'' noted that nine of the properties were on Partridge Run and the remaining 11 would be west of the canal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Loveland Parcels Sought |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13853179/13-parcels-january-22-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 22, 1969 |page=24|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

However, Goldberg announced to Ocean County officials that there would be more delays in all projects besides the widening of Route&nbsp;37 through [[Toms River, New Jersey|Toms River]] until 1970.<ref>{{cite news |title=County Learns of Delays in State Road Projects |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46813194/lovelandtown-january-24-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 24, 1969 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Despite the report by Goldberg, Assemblyman Brown noted in March&nbsp;1969 that NJDOT was about ready to announce the advertisement for bids on a new bridge. Brown noted that Goldberg was saying they were moving forward rapidly on the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Pledges Bridge, Rte. 9 Project Speed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46813407/lovelandtown-march-18-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 18, 1969 |page=26|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By April, tax assessors were working on estimating tax values for the properties to be acquired for the new Lovelandtown alignment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valenti Attempts to Name Blair to Bench Fails |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46813839/lovelandtown-valenti-april-16-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=April 16, 1969 |page=29|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By August, the borough approved to sell land along Bridge Avenue for construction of the new bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Council Accepts State's Land Bid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46814073/lovelandtown-august-12-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=August 12, 1969 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In September&nbsp;1969, the state noted that they would be ready to advertise and accept bids on the new project starting in late October&nbsp;1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Route 37 Project Seen on Schedule |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46814412/lovelandtown-bridge-september-17-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=September 17, 1969 |page=32|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> NJDOT said they could have shovels in the ground during 1969 if all went well, including property acquisition. 15&nbsp;houses would be demolished by the project, but only one had been acquired by September 18, 1969, the one at 1644 Elm Street, once owned by the [[Federal Housing Administration]] and would be sold at auction in [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey|Cherry Hill]]. They felt construction would be finished by mid-1971 after starting in December&nbsp;1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Construction Start Predicted for December |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46814839/lovelandtown-september-19-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=September 19, 1969 |page=23|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> This did not go according to plan as NJDOT had to file a condemnation lawsuit against James Duff, a property owner along the west side of the canal that was in the way of the new bridge. The request was made to get a three-man panel to come to an agreement on what Duff would be paid for the property for the future western approach.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Files Suit Against Couple |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46815119/lovelandtown-bridge-october-11-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 11, 1969 |page=16|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Despite the lawsuit, the state did open advertising on bids in late October&nbsp;1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46815303/lovelandtown-october-22-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 22, 1969 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Despite the plan for bid announcements on November&nbsp;26, within a week of the advertising, NJDOT was in court again, this time of a property on Central Avenue in Point Pleasant owned by William Hall. The borough of Point Pleasant was also named as a defendant as they claimed to have a lien on the property Hall owned.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Seeks Property for New Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46815434/lovelandtown-october-29-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 29, 1969 |page=28|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The borough of [[Bay Head, New Jersey|Bay Head]] noted that they would only lose one property for construction and that their municipality would not be disrupted during construction of the new bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Seen as No Problem for Borough |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46815572/lovelandtown-november-18-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 18, 1969 |page=5|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the project would take over four parcels in total for the new bridge and approaches in Bay Head.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge Will Take 4 Parcels |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816061/lovelandtown-bay-head-december-16/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 16, 1969 |page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

==== Construction (1969&ndash;1972) ====
On November&nbsp;27, 1969, the state announced that they received the lowest bid of $3,344,933.85 (1969&nbsp;USD) for construction of the new bridge from a joint venture of Mason&ndash;Connor, Incorporated of [[Pennsauken, New Jersey|Pennsauken]] and Thomas Construction of [[Albany, New York|Albany]], New York. The new bridge would be {{convert|287|ft|m}} long and {{convert|62|ft|m}} wide, with new approaches. Bridge Avenue on both sides would be turned into dead ends while the new Bridge Avenue alignment would fork off of Hollywood Avenue in Point Pleasant and Bay Avenue in Bay Head. The two supporting piers of the bridge would be {{convert|80|ft|m}} apart from each other. Other bids ranged from $3,386,522&ndash;$4,318,141. At that time, NJDOT noted it was studying the low bid and a deal could be made in two weeks.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Bridge Pact Seen in 2 Weeks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46815731/lovelandtown-november-28-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 28, 1969 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Point Pleasant announced in December&nbsp;1969 that they would vacate parts of Central Avenue so construction could begin 
on the new Lovelandtown Bridge. New road would wipe out parts of Central Avenue due to the new alignment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canal Cable Opposed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816244/lovelandtown-december-17-1969/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 17, 1969 |page=31|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Point Pleasant also asked in January&nbsp;1970, that the state widen Bridge Avenue at the southern side instead of the northern side of the roadway so that a costly sewer relocation would not be required.<ref>{{cite news |title=Snowstorm Ordinance Introduced |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816418/lovelandtown-january-6-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 6, 1970 |page=31|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

On January&nbsp;8, 1970, the state announced that they awarded the contract to Mason&ndash;Connor and Thompson Construction for the new bridge. The new bridge would have a deadline of December 15, 1971, to be finished, all to the delight of Beecroft, who began the push for the new bridge a decade prior.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Span Contracts Awarded |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816578/lovelandtown-bridge-january-9-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 9, 1970 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Residents of both communities visited a display to see the new renderings of the bridge on January&nbsp;16 at the Point Pleasant Municipal Building. There it was announced that construction would begin on January&nbsp;26, 1970.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preview |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816724/lovelandtown-bridge-january-17-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 17, 1970 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By January&nbsp;29, demolition work begun on the old marine police headquarters as part of property clearing. However, due to the construction, the work was being done at the station in [[Monmouth Beach, New Jersey|Monmouth Beach]]. Fearing lack of police patrol, an officer would be stationed on a boat near the old headquarters to help in the cause.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coming Down |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46816864/lovelandtown-january-30-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 30, 1970 |page=20|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> They would end up moving to a new facility on [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]] in April&nbsp;1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Motorboat Unit in New Quarters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46866428/lovelandtown-april-1-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=April 1, 1971 |page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

William Hall, who the state had sued earlier to acquire some of his property, noted in March&nbsp;1970, that the contractors were burning fires at the Lovelandtown Bridge construction site and that the smoke from the fires was polluting the air and his property. Hall noted that the fires were being started by burning old rubber tires and the Point Pleasant Borough Attorney noted that it was a violation of code to do so. Beecroft stepped in and asked the contractor to stop, despite the fact that he saw no burning going on at the property and got assurances that it would stop.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chief Says Burning Has Been Halted |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46817046/lovelandtown-march-20-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 20, 1970 |page=12|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Along with the burning of tires, Beecroft also asked NJDOT in March&nbsp;1970, to ask the contractor to stop routing their dump trucks over the Route&nbsp;88 bridge in Point Pleasant. A police officer noted the bridge was being used by dump trucks for the contractor weighing as much as 40&nbsp;tons. The weight would cause the draw leaves of the Route&nbsp;88 bridge to shift as much as {{convert|12|in|m}}, a dangerous amount of jump for the structure. The main concern of the dirt-loaded dump trucks was more of the safety of schoolchildren crossing the bridge at the same time as the dump trucks. If the bridge opened like that and a child got stuck in the leaves, it would mean immediate [[amputation]]. The state asked the trucks to slow down on the bridge to reduce the jump in the bridge, but that was still not enough for Beecroft who was ready to make sure they were flagged down [[New Jersey Route 35|Route&nbsp;35]] to reach the bridge instead.<ref>{{cite news |title=Route 88 Bridge Truck Ban Asked |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46817257/route-13-88-march-27-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 27, 1970 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, by the next week, the bridge was still being used by the dump trucks and any thought of the reroute would require changes to the contract in terms of cost.<ref>{{cite news |title=Truck Fight is Pressed by Beecroft |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46817611/lovelandtown-mach-31-1970/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 31, 1970 |page=14|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

By late May, the construction on the pilings for the new bridge piers had begun, with the steel bases constructed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46864946/lovelandtown-may-29-1970/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 29, 1970 |page=34|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, work was slowed when the cases for the pilings began to have problems without specially-designed seals to keep them in place. The state and the contractor could not come to terms and instead, extra costs would be added anyway under "time and materials". The extra seals would add $50,000&ndash;$100,000 to the total cost of the project as contracted. The contractor was confident it would be finished near schedule, but no guarantee of on time. Construction did resume in mid-August.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Jobs Proceeds After Delay |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46865277/lovelandtown-august-14-1970/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=August 14, 1970 |page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In November, there were complaints by Bay Head residents about the Bridge and Bay Avenue intersection being ripped up and left unpaved due to construction. While NJDOT said new curbs would be installed soon, no paving of the roads could start until the spring of 1971. They noted they would likely do it in April.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liquor Law Change Site in Bay Head |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46865772/lovelandtown-november-3-1970/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 3, 1970 |page=9|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

By March&nbsp;1971, the concrete piers for the new bridge were finished and the supports for the deck of the road spans were being installed. The contractor noted that the work was 50&nbsp;percent complete at that point. Most importantly, the project was still slated to be complete by December&nbsp;1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Construction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46866082/lovelandtown-march-2-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 2, 1971 |page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By May, the state closed parts of Bridge Avenue in Point Pleasant to detour traffic off a two-block section. This was needed to help construct the new western approach to the Lovelandtown Bridge and was to remain in place through the end of construction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Job Will Close Roadway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46866550/lovelandtown-may-20-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 20, 1971 |page=20|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, this detour led to complaints from Point Pleasant about the strain it put on Route&nbsp;88 in pre-summer traffic. The borough demanded that NJDOT adjust things to help lighten the load.<ref>{{cite news |title=Action is Urged on Road Work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46866884/route-13-88-june-2-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=June 2, 1971 |page=36|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

Construction of the first half of the elevator structure for the bridge began by June&nbsp;1971, with one side finished by the end of the month. Preparations for the other side of the bridge structure were also taking place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Going Up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46867686/lovelandtown-june-30-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=June 30, 1971 |page=45|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The full structure was up by July&nbsp;15, with construction of the road deck beginning with the bridge in the elevated position.<ref>{{cite news |title=Construction Progress |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46868046/lovelandtown-july-16-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=July 16, 1971 |page=16|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In October, the borough of Point Pleasant asked for the work to be amended that sidewalks would be built on the new bridge. The new bridge was not designed to have one, just four lanes of traffic. However, the project was now due to be finished in February&nbsp;1972.<ref>{{cite news |title=Officials in Point Pleasant to Ask County for Curbs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46868291/lovelandtown-bridge-october-20-1971/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 20, 1971 |page=7|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

==== Opening and bridge failure (1972&ndash;1973) ====
On January&nbsp;20, 1972, NJDOT announced that the new bridge would open within two weeks (circa February 5) if everything stayed on schedule.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge to Open in Two Weeks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46868538/lovelandtown-january-21-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 21, 1972 |page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, just four days later, they announced a new delay to the Spring of 1972 due to an issue with the electronic controls for the new bridge. They also said the spokesman from four days prior was incorrect in his announcement about a February&nbsp;1972 opening.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Span Won't Open on Time |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13853199/route-13-lovelandtown-january-25-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 25, 1972 |page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> In late March, NJDOT announced they would soon begin testing on the new elevated structure for barge movement. The main control panel had been set in, but some parts had yet to be delivered. Testing continued through April, and NJDOT expected the bridge to open later that month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Canal Span Testing Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46868976/lovelandtown-bridge-march-23-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 23, 1972 |page=43|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Final Tests |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46869397/lovelandtown-april-24-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=April 24, 1972 |page=2|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

On May 10, the state announced that the new bridge would open to traffic after a ceremony on May&nbsp;23 at 11:00&nbsp;am.<ref>{{cite news |title=Opening Ceremony Slated for Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46869575/lovelandtown-bridge-may-11-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 11, 1972 |page=48|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Numerous dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Mayor Valenti of Point Pleasant and Assemblyman Franklin Berry Jr. (R-Ocean). The ceremony commemorated the 12&nbsp;years of effort to help build a new bridge over the canal. At the same time, local officials used the ceremony to push help for Route&nbsp;88, which also needed a new span.<ref name="1972opening">{{cite news |title=Span Opening Brings New Pleas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46869756/lovelandtown-may-24-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 24, 1972 |page=26|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

As part of the original contract with Mason&ndash;Connor and Thompson Construction, the old span would be demolished.<ref name="1972opening" /> However, in mid-June, the state announced the old bridge would be used by motorists once again. The new span needed its opening mechanisms adjusted, resulting in a several week closure of the new span.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Span Back in Use Temporarily |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46869962/lovelandtown-bridge-june-17-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=June 17, 1972 |page=2|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> These adjustments were completed by the end of July.<ref>{{cite news |title=Substation Failure Blackens Extensive Two-County Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46870635/lovelandtown-july-26-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=July 26, 1972 |page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The bridge closed again on August&nbsp;31, 1972,<ref name="aug31closure" /> with the mechanisms requiring more adjustments; detours were conducted through the old bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge May Be Closed to Traffic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46870745/lovelandtown-bridge-september-1-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=September 1, 1972 |page=27|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> By September&nbsp;12, it was announced the new span would continue to be closed until the problem of why the bridges was not closing properly was figured out and fixed, resulting in at least another two weeks of delay.<ref name="aug31closure">{{cite news |title=Bridge Opening Date Uncertain |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46870852/lovelandtown-bridge-september-13-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=September 13, 1972 |page=48|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

On October&nbsp;16, 1972, it was announced that NJDOT engineers would have to submit plans by October&nbsp;25 to fix the broken lift structure. By this point, there was no certain day on when the new bridge would reopen.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Lovelandtown Span Repairs Are Under Study |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871038/lovelandtown-bridge-october-17-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 17, 1972 |page=17|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Engineers announced on October&nbsp;27 that the bridge was likely failing to close because of lack of weight on the structure. Their proposals were to add weight to the structure to help it close properly. They were not sure how long this project improvement would take, requiring continued use of the old bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Engineers Say More Weight Will Solve Bridge Problem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871287/lovelandtown-bridge-october-28-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 28, 1972 |page=11|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> These problems were finally corrected in December&nbsp;1972,<ref>{{cite news |title=Correction Problem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871473/lovelandtown-bridge-december-14-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 14, 1972 |page=37|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> and the bridge finally reopened to traffic on December&nbsp;14 at 3:00&nbsp;pm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Motorists Using Span Once Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871554/lovelandtown-december-15-1972/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 15, 1972 |page=46|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

The old Lovelandtown bridge was swung open and process began on demolishing the old structure in January&nbsp;1973.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lived Its Span |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871690/lovelandtown-bridge-january-24-1973/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=January 24, 1973 |page=39|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> As demolition continued on the bridge, the [[United States Coast Guard]] put out buoys noting the locations of the old pilings for the bridge, located {{convert|45|ft|m}} apart from each other just under the surface.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coast Guard Warns of Hazard in Canal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46871906/lovelandtown-bridge-april-12-1973/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Coast Star |date=April 12, 1973 |location=Manasquan, New Jersey |page=7|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The work continued into May on removing the piles from the site of the piers, which had been blasted apart in the demolition process.<ref>{{cite news |title=Channel Improvement |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46872086/lovelandtown-bridge-may-9-1973/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 9, 1973 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

=== Modernization ===
The Lovelandtown Bridge and its approaches underwent a rehabilitation in October 2004. The lift mechanism was replaced to allow for quicker and more efficient raising and lowering of the bridge deck. The construction was completed by Carr & Duff Inc., which had received the project in June of that year. NJDOT and Governor [[James E. McGreevey]] forwarded $2.4 million (2005 USD) to the company for construction, which was completed by mid-2005. The project was part of the governor's "Fix-it First" initiative, which prioritized repairing existing roadway capacity throughout the state over building new capacity.<ref name="njdot">{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.gov/transportation/about/press/2004/102704.shtm|title=NJDOT Begins Construction on the Route 13 Inland Waterway Canal Bridge in Point Pleasant Boro|date=October 27, 2004|publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation|pages=1|access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref>

==Major intersections==
{{Jcttop|length_ref=<ref name="sld"/>|county=Ocean|state=NJ}}
{{NJint
|location=Point Pleasant
|mile=0.00
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|632|county1=Ocean|dir1=west|name1=Bridge Avenue}}
|notes=Western terminus 
}}
{{NJint
|location=Bay Head
|mile=0.56
|road={{jct|state=NJ|CR|632|county1=Ocean|dir1=east|name1=Bridge Avenue}}
|notes=Eastern terminus 
}}
{{jctbtm}}

==See also==
*{{Portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}
*{{Portal-inline|New Jersey}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
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*{{commons category-inline}}
*[http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/nj/nj_13/ Secret NJ 13]
*[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/traffic_orders/speed/rt13.shtm Speed Limits for Route 13]

[[Category:State highways in New Jersey|013]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ocean County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:State highways in the United States shorter than one mile]]