Monmouth County Awarded $600K for Oceanic Bridge Study

The New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority has awarded Monmouth County a $600,000 federal grant to investigate the best ways to replace the Oceanic Bridge.

The project will investigate ways to either replace or rehabilitate the bridge. The drawbridge, which spans the Navesink River from Rumson to Middletown, carries beach, residential and commercial traffic, in addition to bicycle and pedestrian traffic, the NJTPA said. The Oceanic Bridge is one of three bridges crossing the river and is a key route for coastal evacuations and emergency vehicles.

The bridge, built in 1939, has been ruled structurally deficient by the NJTPA.

The structure has deteriorated after being exposed to saltwater for many years and for accommodating both heavier vehicles and traffic volumes than for which it was initially intended.

(Image via the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority)