RUMSON, NJ — On Tuesday, Monmouth County announced it received $31 million in federal funding for the replacement of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge and $800,000 in federal funding for a study to replace the Laurel Avenue railroad tracks in Holmdel.
Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge (S 32) carries CR 520 (Rumson Road) across the Shrewsbury River between Rumson and Sea Bright. This bridge serves as one of two evacuation and emergency routes in times of tidal flooding and coastal storms. The existing aging structure is at the end of its service life and requires complete replacement, said the state DOT.
Monmouth County is proposing a movable bridge to replace the current structure.
“I am happy to report the NJTPA Board approval of the additional funding necessary for our much-needed replacement of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge,” said Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Public Work. “We are finalizing our contract documents to replace a current movable bridge with a new movable bridge structure relocated to the south and anticipate being ready for construction by the end of this year.”
The entire price tag to replace the bridge will be $104 million, all in federal money.
While nothing is confirmed, the low-hanging Laurel Avenue railroad crossing in Holmdel — the site of many truck collisions — will also likely be replaced.
“This NJ Transit bridge on Laurel Avenue has a low vertical clearance (12′-5″) and routinely gets hit by trucks traveling along County Route 52 (Laurel Avenue). Subsequently, the bridge is in a substandard condition,” said Arnone. “The purpose of this study is to develop and assess various alternatives for this grade-separated railroad crossing.”
“We will be working closely with NJ Transit and NJDOT for potential improvements,” he added.