Manahawkin Bay Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manahawkin Bay Bridge |
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| Carries | Route 72 |
| Crosses | Manahawkin Bay |
| Locale | Ocean County, New Jersey |
| Official name | Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge |
| Other name(s) | The Causeway |
| Named for | Dorland J. Henderson |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Dorland J. Henderson |
| Material | Steel girder |
Map of New Jersey Route 72 showing the bridge crossing Manahawkin Bay
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The Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge is a really important bridge in New Jersey. It's also known as the Manahawkin Bay Bridge. Some people even call it "The Causeway," though that's not its official name. This bridge is made of strong steel girders.
It crosses over Manahawkin Bay, connecting Long Beach Island (LBI) with the town of Manahawkin. Manahawkin is part of Stafford Township in Ocean County. The bridge carries traffic along Route 72. It starts in Manahawkin and ends in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.
The bridge actually crosses five different land areas. These include the mainland, Long Beach Island, and three smaller pieces of land in between. From the bridge, you can see amazing views of Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay. On a clear day, you might even spot the Atlantic City skyline, which is less than 25 miles away!
The "String of Pearls" Lighting System
The Manahawkin Bay Bridge has a special lighting system. People unofficially call it the String of Pearls. This unique system was designed by an engineer named Dorland J. Henderson. The bridge was officially named after him in the year 2000.
The original "String of Pearls" used 768 separate fluorescent lights. These lights were hidden inside the bridge's side guard rails. It was the first lighting system of its kind in the world when it was installed in the 1950s.
Over time, it became hard to find parts for these old fluorescent lights. Many of them stopped working. So, the original system is being replaced with a new, modern LED lighting system. The new lights will still create the "String of Pearls" effect. They will be on the north and south sides of the bridge.
Unlike the old system, the new side lights are mostly for decoration. The main roadway will have regular overhead lights. The new lighting system on the south side of the bridge was turned on in May 2016. The north side lights will be turned on once the original bridge is fully repaired.
Why the Bridge Needed Repairs
Over the years, the Manahawkin Bay Bridge started to show signs of wear and tear. Engineers found small cracks in some of its metal parts. This was due to something called "metal fatigue." It's like when a metal paperclip breaks after you bend it back and forth many times.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) tried to fix these cracks. They even drilled small holes to stop the cracks from spreading. By 2004, the bridge was officially listed as "structurally deficient." This means it needed major repairs to be fully safe and strong.
The bridge is very important because it's the only way to get to and from Long Beach Island by car. It's also a vital route for people to leave the island quickly during a hurricane or other emergency. Because of this, its condition was a serious concern. From 2009 to 2010, NJDOT worked to repair the bridge's surface. This project cost $5.5 million and helped extend the bridge's life.
Building a New Bridge Span
Because the old bridge was so important and showing its age, NJDOT planned a huge project. From 2010 to 2012, they designed a complete overhaul of the bridge. This $350 million plan included building a second bridge right next to the old one.
The new bridge span is located just south of the existing one. It has wider shoulders, a special lane for bikes, and a sidewalk for people walking. The entire project is being done in four main stages.
The first stage began in May 2013 and lasted until 2020. This involved building the new bridge span. Future stages will include repairing the original bridge's supports and replacing its entire top structure. They will also improve how the bridge connects to local roads on both ends.
