New Jersey mayor shuts down incoming traffic, town 'at capacity'

BELMAR, N.J., June 15 (UPI) -- A New Jersey mayor temporarily closed down incoming traffic because his beach resort town reached its capacity during a local festival.

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty announced on Twitter Sunday that incoming traffic was being "shut down" on Route 35 because the town had reached its capacity.

Residents of the town of about 6,000 people were still allowed to enter via Route 35 Saturday by showing driver's licenses bearing Belmar addresses.

Doherty said the decision was made for public safety reasons. An influx of traffic coming into the town was blamed on a combination of the closing day of the 29th annual seafood festival and beach-friendly weather.

The road was reopened to the public around 7 p.m., about four hours after the mayor's announcement.