OCEAN CITY — A longer-term fix for the Route 50 drawbridge that failed last July and was stuck in the up position for several hours on a busy Saturday afternoon could be undertaken within the next week or so although a firm timetable has not been established.
Around 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, the Route 50 drawbridge got stuck in the up position following a routine opening and closing. The malfunctioning bridge almost immediately caused heavy resort traffic on a bust Saturday afternoon in late July to back up along Route 50 and the dominoes toppled backward as motorists attempted to find alternative routes into the resort, essentially causing gridlock across much of northern Worcester County.
The bridge remained stuck in the open position for about five hours until the decision was made to hand-crank the bridge into the closed position to begin allowing vehicles to access the bridge in and out of the resort. SHA’s engineers determined the problem was caused by a cracked mount on the drawbridge’s drive shaft that would not allow the span to be lowered completely.
The bridge was fixed temporarily and worked throughout the rest of the summer and fall, but a long-term fix is needed and that will likely occur soon. SHA officials said last week crews are currently taking measurements and fabricating the necessary pieces for the repair, which could begin within two weeks.