FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 17, 2011
UPDATE: 8:40 p.m. - Electrical issues on the Oceanic Bridge have been resolved and the bridge has reopened to vehicle and pedestrain traffic.
Oceanic Bridge is closed due to power loss
Rumson, Middletown connector is closed to all vehicle traffic
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Oceanic Bridge that spans the Navesink River between Middletown and Rumson is closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to a loss of electrical power.
At approximately 3 p.m. today, power was lost to the bridge while in the upright position. Bridge tenders managed to close the bascule span manually, but because there was no power to lock the pins that secure the bridge, the span had to be closed.
Jersey Central Power & Light has been notified and is responding to restore electric power to the bridge.
Electric power is need to securely lock the bridge in place for the safe passage of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Motorists should expect delays and should use detours:
- In Middletown, motorists traveling to Red Bank should use Navesink River Road; motorists traveling to Sea Bright should use Locust Point Road to Locust Avenue to Navesink Avenue to Route 36.
- In Rumson, motorists traveling to Red Bank should use River Road East to Front Street; motorists traveling to Sea Bright should use Bingham Avenue(County Route 8A) to Rumson Road (County Route 520) to Ocean Avenue.
The bridge, which carries County Route 8A (Bingham Avenue) over the Navesink River between Rumson and Middletown has a vehicle weight restriction of three tons that has been in place since October 2009. This means that large SUVs, pickup trucks, buses, heavier trucks and all commercial vehicles are not permitted to use the bridge.