Middletown, Rumson: What Should We Do About The Oceanic Bridge?

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Monmouth County and the federal Highway Administration will host an online public meeting this Thursday to come up with a "local concept study" for the Oceanic Bridge.

The Oceanic Bridge spans the Navesink River and links Rumson to Middletown. It is used every day by hundreds of cars, as well as bicyclists, pedestrians and emergency response vehicles. Additionally, it serves an an important emergency evacuation route for Shore communities in bad weather.

However, in recent years the bridge has had to undergo many small repairs — all of which interrupt the daily lives of local residents and businesses. "Constructed in 1939, the Oceanic Bridge is in need of a major rehabilitation or replacement," wrote Monmouth on this website it created for the project.

Monmouth County now says a long-term solution is necessary. The county is even considering the idea of entirely tearing down the bridge and replacing it with a new one.

But — the government first wants feedback from local Middletown and Rumson residents.

To that end, Monmouth County has partnered with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the federal Highway Administration.

The purpose of Thursday's online meeting is to seek the public's ideas and input about what the bridge needs and how the bridge should be improved. The public is invited and encouraged to comment on the project.

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2654197288137759245 (Registration required)
For more details, see below and visit
http://monmouthcountyoceanicbridge.com.

If you will not have access to an internet connection on August 27, please contact Fred Passeggio at (732) 431-7760 x6690, or fred.passeggio@co.monmouth.nj.us.

There is also a group trying to save the Oceanic from being torn down, Friends of the Oceanic Bridge: https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Oceanic-Bridge-192629154139966/

The goal of this Local Concept Development (LCD) Study is to develop a Purpose and Need Statement that identifies the bridge improvement goals and objectives. A range of alternatives will be studied, such as:

• A “no-build” or “do nothing” alternative
• Major rehabilitation of the bridge
• Entire bridge replacement
• Allow the maritime traffic on the Navesink River to continue

The Project Team will coordinate with representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Highway Administration, Borough of Rumson, Township of Middletown, and other stakeholders.

Learn more here: http://monmouthcountyoceanicbridge.com

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