A Message from the Mayor and Commissioners Regarding the Dorset Avenue Bridge

The Dorset Avenue Bridge is not just another historic piece of infrastructure requiring ongoing maintenance—it’s a critical, urgent link connecting Ventnor Heights to the rest of Absecon Island. It supports residents, businesses, emergency services, and visitors, and is essential for access to the beach, bay, schools, and commerce. Its restricted operation has impacted both land and marine traffic. We all agree on the necessity of its maintenance, aggressive pursuit of grant funding, competitive bids, and public transparency.

The bridge is owned and maintained by Atlantic County, and we have received frequent and often daily updates from the County Engineer and County Administrator Jerry Delrosso, who have been transparent with city officials about the evolving repair plan. Contractors have been working on the bridge for several weeks, performing testing and inspecting the electrical control systems. Once this exploratory work is complete, the county will be able to finalize the repair scope and timeline. In my opinion, the county is taking responsibility for the repairs and has made a clear effort to keep the affected communities informed. 

Recent county actions include:

• Inspection of submarine wiring and troubleshooting the communication issues of the control system
• Emergency procurement of critical electrical components, particularly for replacing the outdated Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with modern equipment
• Ongoing power washing and visual maintenance
• Design for the full mechanical and electrical system rehabilitation scheduled for the 2026 capital plan

Beyond the short-term repairs, County Executive Dennis Levinson and his team recently met with the Mayor and our Business Administrator to discuss a more strategic, long-term approach. This includes the potential pursuit of federal infrastructure funding tied to the 2011 South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) Intracoastal Waterway Relocation Feasibility Study.

That study evaluated the realignment of the Intracoastal Waterway to Beach Thorofare, which would allow for modern fixed-span bridges and reduce or eliminate the need for frequent openings. Fewer openings would also extend the life of the Dorset Avenue Bridge. This concept would require coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, and SJTA, and represents a regional, long-term solution—similar in ambition to the successful causeway project into Ocean City.

To support this broader vision, the City of Ventnor has formally requested a meeting with Congressman Jeff Van Drew, asking him to:

• Engage federal agencies in assessing the feasibility and endorsing the project
• Prioritize federal and state funding to advance design and construction
• Develop a coordinated strategy with local, state, and federal partners to move this initiative forward

Our shared goal remains: to restore the Dorset Avenue Bridge to full function, for both road and marine traffic, while ensuring long-term access, safety, and fiscal responsibility.