The Townsend's Inlet Bridge, which connects Avalon and Sea Isle City, will shut down at 4 a.m. Sept. 17, and is not expected to reopen until May 22.

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. (AP) — A bridge that connects two New Jersey shore towns will close in mid-September for about eight months for renovation.

The Townsend's Inlet Bridge, which connects Avalon and Sea Isle City, will shut down at 4 a.m. Sept. 17, and is not expected to reopen until May 22.

Cape May County officials said last month that the nearly $8.6 million project will allow replacement of seven of the 27 spans of the bridge, which was built about 80 years ago.

The 1,373-ft. bridge was closed in April for emergency repairs to railings and in 2017 after an underwater inspection of bridge pilings found structural damage.

Officials say most demolition and construction will involve floating equipment. The county wants to replace the bridge, but that could cost as much as $155 million.

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