Causeway Welcome Center 'Grand Opening' Set for Sept. 20

The new Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 Causeway will hold a grand opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20.

The Welcome Center first opened to the public on May 28, the Tuesday after Memorial Day Weekend, providing public restrooms and visitor information. But the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce has been working through the summer to complete a full transition to the new facility.

The building was part of the $396 million New Jersey Department of Transportation rebuilding of the Route 52 bridges and causeway project. It is a replica of the Ocean City Yacht Club that was demolished in 1944. 

In addition to being the central hub of information for all that is Ocean City, the Roy Gillian Welcome Center offers ample parking, access to the pedestrian walkway and one of four fishing piers along the bridge, restrooms and scenic wrap-around decks on both levels. It is a wonderful new addition for outdoor recreational activities.

Access to the Roy Gillian Welcome Center is available in both directions. Heading toward Ocean City, the center is accessible from the causeway’s eastbound lanes. Coming from Ocean City, the center is accessible by passing the Welcome Center in the westbound lanes and making a U-turn into the fishing pier located midway across.

“The new Roy Gillian Welcome Center, and entire bridge, have become a fabulous new Ocean City recreational facility. We are excited to see so many people enjoying the new facilities and taking advantage of all the outdoor recreational opportunities available because of this project,” says Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We hope everyone will join us in celebrating at the new Welcome Center.”

— News release from the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce