RUMSON, NJ – Repair work to the structural steel and concrete deck on the Oceanic Bridge (S-31) over the Navesink River between Rumson and Middletown will be more evident to motorists, shoppers, diners, residents and business owners in coming weeks. 

“The County’s contractor, George Harms Construction, has worked mostly below the bridge and through cold temperatures and snow to complete the preparatory work and measurements needed to move into the more visible phase of the repair work,” said Arnone. “We appreciate the patience of the travelling public and the local businesses while we work to keep the bridge operational and get the necessary work completed.”

Beginning Tuesday night, March 24 at 10:30 p.m. the Oceanic Bridge will be closed to all traffic until 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25. Overnight closures will then be in place Sunday through Friday mornings until April 30.

“To complete the work, we have developed a schedule to keep the bridge fully open to traffic during its busiest travel times: the morning and afternoon rush hours and all day Friday and Saturday,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering.

Single lane closures during the mid-day and early evening hours will facilitate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic across the busy span. Full overnight closures will also be in place from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

The Oceanic Bridge schedule, weather permitting, Sunday through Friday mornings, from on or about March 24 to April 30 will be:
             6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. – both bridge lanes open to all traffic
             9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – single lane closure with alternating lanes of vehicular traffic
             2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – both bridge lanes open to all traffic
             6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – single lane closure with alternating lanes of vehicular traffic
            10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. – bridge closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic

For marine traffic, seasonal rules and scheduling will be in effect.

The staggered times will allow the contactor, George Harms Construction Co., Inc. of Howell, to perform the required work above and below the bridge deck. 

Motorists may want to plan an alternate route. Motor vehicle traffic on Bingham Avenue between Rumson and Middletown (CR-8) should travel east and north through Sea Bright and Highlands to Middletown. Motor vehicle traffic on Navesink River Road and Locust Point Road in Middletown (CR-8) should travel east and south through Middletown, Highlands and Sea Bright to Rumson.

Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed by May 15.

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