Mayor's Update: May 5

Dear Friends, I know anybody who was trying to use the 34th Street Bridge yesterday was stuck in frustratingly long lines. But I’m happy to report that Cape May County’s two-year redecking project is finally complete. Both lanes of the bridge reopened today. Traffic will be flowing normally again and the bridge will be safe for Spring Block Party, for the summer and hopefully for years to come. I’d like to thank the county and its contractors for making this important repair to one of our main entrances. At the foot of the Ninth Street Bridge, landscaping began this morning at the site of the abandoned Getty Station. By Memorial Day, everybody coming over the bridge will be greeted by a new open-space park. This will be a great improvement to our Ninth Street gateway. At the ends of the island, E-ZPass is now operational on the Ocean City-Longport Bridge, and it should be activated on the Corson’s Inlet Bridge by Memorial Day. Paving will begin Monday on East Atlantic Boulevard. The roadway will be elevated to meet the new curb line there, and the parking spaces along the dunes will be available again. Final paving continues in the Fourth Ward drainage project. I want to thank the residents who have put up with more than a year of major construction. But the end is in sight. The entire project, including activation of the new pumping stations, will be complete this summer. If you’re on the beach this weekend, you may notice work at Third Street, Ninth Street and 12th Street. Crews are installing new outfall pipes that triple the drainage capacity of the old ones. This work should help relieve flooding on the beach blocks of these streets. Our Paper Shredding and Household Cleanup Day is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, May 5) at the Shelter Road Recycling Center located off Tennessee Avenue. This event is free to residents and property owners in Ocean City. A secure, mobile shredding unit will be available, and you  can bring unwanted trash, furniture, cell phones and recycling for disposal. See more information. Finally, I want to encourage you all to attend the Spring Block Party 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (May 5) to check out all that our downtown shops and event vendors have to offer. Parking at all metered spots on the streets and in municipal lots will be free for the weekend. The event takes place on Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street. I hope you all have a great weekend. Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor