For Immediate Release:

October 1, 2012 

County’s movable bridges to get upgrades

Short term closures to four spans

FREEHOLD, NJ – Today, Monmouth County began a project to upgrade the safety systems at its four movable bridges.

Work on the Glimmer Glass Bridge (W-9) along Brielle Road between Brielle and Manasquan is the first bridge to have its traffic gates and barrier gate replaced as part of this project. The work requires the closure of the bridge to vehicles and pedestrian traffic during the estimated two week work period.

“To keep our bridges in good working order and safe for travelers and the bridge operators these repairs are being done outside of our tourism season.” said Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “Monmouth County continues to pride itself on safety, especially with its four movable bridges.”

Work on the county’s three other bridges will take place in early 2013. The bridges are the Shark River Bridge (Ocean Avenue) connecting Avon and Belmar, the Sea Bright-Rumson Bridge and the Oceanic Bridge connecting Rumson and Middletown. 

“The work on each bridge is expected to take two to three weeks weather permitting,” John W. Tobia, director of Monmouth County Public Works and Engineering said. “To perform these upgrades, the County will close each bridge’s roadway so the contractor, IEW Construction Group can replace safety gates and perform other upgrades and maintenance work.”

All of the bridges will be open to marine traffic during the upgrades.

“This work is required because the existing equipment is outdated and replacement parts are becoming more difficult to find,” County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore, P.E. said. “Funding for this work has been provided through the State Transportation Trust Fund.”

Monmouth County owns, operates and maintains the four movable, draw bridges as well as 976 other bridges and culverts throughout the county. All of these structures are monitored and maintained by the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders oversees the operation of county government infrastructure, activities and programs. 

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