Mathis Bridge breakdown = logjam to Seaside

Emergency construction on the Mathis Bridge leading from Toms River to Seaside Heights blocks traffic at the height of rush hour.

Traffic jam

A malfunction in the drawbridge mechanism is under repair, but it took all existing eastbound lanes to do it.

Crews arrived between 2 and 3 PM, with some occasional sluggish traffic resulting, and then the roadblocks went up after 4 PM. Toms River police say the work was wrapped up by 5:30.

Meanwhile, a conga line of cars inched north along Fischer Boulevard, as drivers try to access the northern barrier island via Route 35.