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The Rumson–Sea Bright Bridge (officially the Rumson–Sea Bright Bridge S-32) is a double leaf bascule bridge that carries County Route 520 over the Shrewsbury River from Rumson to Sea Bright, in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Rumson–Sea Bright Bridge | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The bridge as seen in 2015, prior to construction of a replacement | |
| Coordinates | 40°21′57″N 73°58′33″W / 40.3658°N 73.9757°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  CR 520, pedestrians and bicycles |
| Crosses | Shrewsbury River |
| Locale | Sea Bright, New Jersey and Rumson, New Jersey |
| Official name | Rumson–Sea Bright Bridge S-32 |
| Maintained by | Monmouth County Division of Engineering |
| History | |
| Opened |
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| Location | |
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Early bridges
edit
The first bridge across the Shrewsbury River connecting Sea Bright to Rumson was a wooden drawbridge constructed in 1870.[1] This was replaced in 1881 by an iron bridge, which was replaced by temporary wooden bridge in 1900 and then a 660 foot steel swing bridge in 1901.
1950 bridge
editThe existing span that connects from Rumson to Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright was built in 1950. It is located more northbound than former spans. The 1950 bridge has become harder to maintain over time and had required repairs twice, once in 2002 and again in 2013.[2]
Replacement bridge
editDue to the structural deficiency and functionally obsolete state of the existing structure, Monmouth County had announced plans for a replacement of the existing span at a site south of the current crossing. They predicted that the project would be complete by 2020.[3][4][5]
Construction began in 2022.[6] The bridge replacement project is scheduled to end in 2025.[2] The new bridge will include two wide shoulders, something the original bridge lacked. It will also include other improvements, such as modernized draw controls, a access ramp to the nearby Sea Bright Beach from the Route 36 intersection, pedestrian beacons and striped crosswalks with the Ward Avenue intersection, and upgrades to the nearby Sea Bright park.[2] Demolition of a nearby Dunkin' Donuts was deemed necessary in order to construct the replacement bridge.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Images – Monmouth Beach Life.com". Monmouth Beach Life.com. January 20, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Frequently Asked Questions, Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge S-32 Project. Accessed February 11, 2024. "Construction will take approximately 42 months, with completion in 2025. The construction phase began in Fall 2021 and construction activities are progressing.... The Contractor is required to keep Rumson Road (CR520) open at all times."
- ^ Sheehan, Liz. "Public Hearing Scheduled on Replacement of Aging Sea Bright-Rumson Bridge", The Two River Times, April 28, 2016. Accessed May 10, 2017. "The existing bridge, also known as Monmouth County Bridge S-32, was built over the Shrewsbury River in 1950 and runs from Rumson Road in Rumson to Ocean Avenue in the borough.... According to the NY/NJ Baykeeper, the first bridge was constructed between the two towns in 1870 and was rebuilt several times."
- ^ "Commissioners award contract for replacement of Rumson-Sea Bright bridge". June 3, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ Cervenka, Susanne. "Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge getting $107.5M replacement". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ linknews (August 21, 2022). "Construction begins on Sea Bright, Rumson Bridge". Retrieved February 13, 2024.