For Immediate Release:

December 28, 2012 

 

Oceanic Bridge to get upgrades

Three week closure begins Jan. 7 for Navesink River span

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – On Jan. 7, Monmouth County will begin a project to upgrade the safety systems on the Oceanic Bridge that connects Rumson and Middletown. The work requires the closure of the bridge to vehicles and pedestrian traffic during the estimated three week work period that is expected to conclude on Jan. 28.

 

To perform these upgrades, the County will close the bridge’s roadway so the contractor, IEW Construction Group can replace safety gates and perform other upgrades and maintenance work.

 

“This work is required because the existing equipment is outdated and replacement parts are becoming more difficult to find,” County Engineer Joseph M. Ettore, P.E. said.“We are maximizing this scheduled closure to have county crews perform repair work to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy and to provide NJ Natural Gas with access for their necessary repair and installation work.

 

The Oceanic Bridge will be open to marine traffic during the upgrades.

 

This schedule provides minimal disruption to the majority of travelers,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “We want to keep this bridge in good working order and safe for travelers and the bridge operators.”

 

This work is being performed under a contract that is providing safety system upgrades at each of the four movable bridges owned and operated by Monmouth County.The Glimmer Glass Bridge (W-9) along Brielle Road between Brielle and Manasquan and the Shark River Bridge (Ocean Avenue) connecting Avon and Belmar have already had their traffic and barrier gates replaced as part of this project.

 

Work on the county’s remaining movable bridge, the Sea Bright-Rumson Bridge will take place in 2013 as well.

 

Funding for the upgrades 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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