In the not-too-distant past, it at times felt as though work on the main Causeway bridges would continue forever as the endless bob-and-weave of traffic shift changes marked days in the offseason on the only roadway to and from Long Beach Island. Well, it’s over – and a year ahead of schedule, too.

The completion of the rehabbing project is so monumental to the region that it drew local, county, state and federal officials to the sidewalk area just west of Causeway Marina in Manahawkin for a…