Travel through Ocean County remains difficult with numerous bridges and roads still closed in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

“A number of bridges, culverts, and roads remain closed around Ocean County while we wait for flood waters to recede and assess damages left behind by Hurricane Irene,” said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department. “Detours are in place, and motorists should adhere to them. We are also in the process of removing more than 500 trees and branches that came down during the storm.”

The following Ocean County bridges are closed: Vince's Bridge, Oak Ridge Parkway, Toms River; Whitesville Road Bridge, Route 571, Toms River; Aldrich Road Bridge, Jackson Township; Cook's Bridge at Cooks Bridge Road, Jackson Township; Butterfly Bridge at Butterfly Road, Jackson Township; Coventry Road Bridge, Jackson Township; Thompsons Bridge, Thompsons Bridge Road, Jackson Township; New Francis Mills Bridge, Route 571, Jackson Township; Rova Farms Bridge, Route 571, Jackson Township; Brook Road Bridge, Lakewood; Kent Road Bridge Lakewood; and Brindletown Road Bridge, New Egypt/Plumsted Township.

J. Thomas Curcio, the supervisor of the Road Department, said the Toms River bridges will remain closed until waters recede enough to allow county crews to patch and repave portions that were compromised due to floodwaters and debris.

Roads that are currently closed due to flooding are portions of Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach; Baltimore Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach; Bayview Avenue, Seaside Park; and Bayview Avenue, Berkeley Township.

Culverts currently closed are: Larsen Road Culvert, Jackson Township; Hulse's Road Culvert, Farmingdale Road, Jackson Township; Maple Root Culvert, Bowman Road, Jackson Township; Ice Factory Culvert, Ice Factory Road, New Egypt/Plumsted Township; Cranberry Canners Road Culvert New Egypt/Plumsted.

“There will be a full assessment done,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, director of Law and Public Safety. “Right now getting information out so motorists are advised of detours will result in safer traveling and safety is paramount.”