Mayor Marty Small Delivers on Promise: Venice Park’s “Second Bridge” Reopens Ahead of Schedule
Atlantic City, NJ – February 18, 2025
Atlantic City residents in the Venice Park neighborhood are celebrating a major infrastructure milestone as the Ohio Avenue Bridge—affectionately known in the community as “Second Bridge”—has officially reopened to vehicle and pedestrian traffic months ahead of schedule after extensive reconstruction.
The bridge, which spans the Venice Lagoon, underwent a full rebuild that began in August 2023, with initial projections estimating a two-year timeline. Thanks to efficient project management, strategic funding, and strong community cooperation, the project wrapped up in just 18 months.
“This is about delivering on promises,” said Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “I made a commitment that both First Bridge and Second Bridge would be fully reconstructed during my first full four-year term—and I kept my word. While previous administrations patched things up, we rebuilt these bridges from the ground up to last for generations.”
The revitalized Second Bridge includes:
A shared bike lane
Sidewalks on both sides of the bridge
New steel sheet pile bulkheads
A total replacement of deteriorated timber foundations with concrete-filled steel pipes
Built in 1969, the bridge had been temporarily stabilized in 2021 after emergency repairs to its substructure. During reconstruction, the bridge remained open to alternating traffic via temporary signals—avoiding a full closure and minimizing disruption for residents.
“This is one of those projects that shows Mayor Small cares deeply about the quality of life of Atlantic City residents,” said City Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe. “Finishing ahead of schedule and under budget on a major project like this speaks volumes about the leadership, contractors, and the cooperation of the Venice Park community.”
The project was funded with $6.85 million from the American Rescue Plan and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)—with no direct cost to local taxpayers.
Project partners included:
Design Engineer: French & Parrello Associates
Construction Management: Remington & Vernick Engineers
Contractor: South State, Inc.
This reopening marks the completion of both of Venice Park’s key bridge reconstruction projects. In November 2022, the nearby Ohio Avenue Bridge over Penrose Canal—known as “First Bridge”—was also completed on time after a year of work.
“This is more than a bridge—it’s a symbol of trust, progress, and partnership,” said Mayor Small. “I thank the residents of Venice Park for their patience, their feedback, and their belief in this administration’s ability to deliver.”
