Dear Friends,
I want to remind you all about the town hall meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow morning at the Ocean City Tabernacle. I encourage anybody with an interest in bayside dredging to attend. Representatives of ACT Engineering will be on hand to present our 2018-19 plans and share information about some long-term initiatives.
I’m happy to report that the Cape May County Bridge Commission plans to activate E-ZPass on the Ocean City-Longport Bridge as early as Monday and on the Corson’s Inlet Bridge by Memorial Day. This technology offers both a convenience and a way to lessen traffic tie-ups. See more information on the new program.
Work continues on road and drainage projects throughout town, and here are a few updates:
- 34th Street Bridge: Both lanes of the bridge remain on schedule to reopen by Thursday, May 3. The regular traffic pattern should be back in time for Spring Block Party weekend. See more information .
- Fourth Ward Drainage Project: Final paving began earlier this week and will continue through Memorial Day on the avenues and numbered streets. Crews will be working on Saturday in an effort to expedite completion. The entire project with working pumping stations will be finished this summer.
- East Atlantic Boulevard, North Street and Wesley Avenue: Final paving in this project is expected to begin on North Street next week.
- South End Road Work: The city’s project to complete drainage and paving work on 53rd Street, nearby alleys, parts of Asbury Avenue, 45th Street, 46th Street and 47th Street is now complete. New Jersey American Water will be responsible for completing two more blocks and an alley in this area once the collapsed sewer line is repaired.
- Bay Avenue: A contractor for the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority will repave Bay Avenue near the Ocean City Municipal Airport on Monday.
- West 17th Street Bridge: We’re informed that the Cape May County project to replace the W. 17th Street Bridge will extend beyond Memorial Day. The county is working with its contractor to restore both lanes of traffic in June with final paving and restoration in July, according County Engineer Dale Foster.
- 34th Street: Utility companies hope to have work on West Avenue north and south of 34th Street completed by the end of next week.
- Asbury Avenue crosswalks: New brick crosswalks at Eighth Street and 10th Street are both complete. All memorial pavers that were removed at Eighth and Asbury will be relocated to the area between City Hall and Yianni’s once equipment for the City Hall exterior restoration project is cleared.
I also want to report that New Jersey American Water will begin its annual maintenance program for water main flushing on May 1 in Ocean City. This won’t involve any interruption of service, but customers may notice short periods of lower water pressure or discolored water. See more information.
Registration for summer recreation programs in Ocean City opens on Tuesday. Many of the programs are extremely popular, so it’s always a good idea to check out what’s available (see brochure ) and register as early as possible. See more information.
The Ocean City Ecumenical Council is now offering delivery of groceries to qualified homebound clients of its Ocean City Food Cupboard. Anybody interested in volunteering their time for this new service is encouraged to call Regina Ralston at 609-399-9013.
Finally, I want to encourage all Eagles fans to come out this weekend to this weekend’s new Sports Memorabilia and Collection Show on the Ocean City Music Pier. See more on the show and on how to get autographs and photos with Corey Clement, Brent Celek, Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Brooks.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
