Stone Harbor Bridge Replacement Timeline Now Runs to 2029

Stone Harbor, N.J. — The Borough of Stone Harbor has released a timeline for the replacement of the 96th Street Bridge and residents and tourists are being alerted now that this will not be a quick project.

The 96th Street Bridge, which serves as a major connector between the island and the mainland, has seen its share of problems over the years, especially given the fact that portions of it are nearly a century old and it is exposed to the harsh corrosive effects of the local environment.

It was back in the fall of 2016 when a large crack was discovered in a main girder, which caused the span to immediately be shut down.

In 2023, realizing the shape that the bridge was in, Cape May County officials described the bridge's overall condition as "intolerable," even after spending millions of dollars, and plans got underway to build a new bridge that was "expected by 2028."

That 2028-based timeline now seems closer to 2029.

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Stone Harbor Mayor Tim Carney took to Facebook on Monday morning to provide an update and he offered this timeline:

• Fall 2026 – Summer 2027
  Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2026, with work taking place outside of the current bridge footprint. Normal bridge operations will continue during this phase.

• September 2027 – Spring 2028
  The existing span will be removed, creating full vertical clearance for marine traffic, except during limited construction operations.

• Summer 2028
  A temporary bridge span will be installed to maintain vehicle access through the busy summer season. Larger vessels will have scheduled weekly access coordinated with the contractor and Coast Guard.

• Fall 2028 – Spring 2029
  Installation of the new bridge span begins, with continued marine access through the channel whenever possible.

• Summer 2029
  Final testing of the new bridge will take place, with normal openings expected, though occasional delays may occur during system testing.

Carney said, "This long-awaited project will modernize a critical gateway to Stone Harbor while balancing traffic flow, boating access, and summer operations throughout construction."

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com