The Oceanic Bridge provides an important link between the Borough of Rumson and the Township of Middletown for vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and emergency response vehicles. Additionally, it provides an emergency evacuation route for Shore communities.
In recent years the bridge has required numerous repairs which have impacted the daily activities of local residents and businesses. A long-term solution is necessary to avoid future disruptions and maintain the connection between the Borough of Rumson and the Township of Middletown, as well as maritime activity on the Navesink River.
The project is now in the Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE) phase. The LPE phase involves performing engineering and environmental tasks and documentation in order to obtain National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) clearance for the project. Based on the PPA, a number of activities are simultaneously set in motion: community involvement (meetings with affected property owners and business owners), agency consultation, environmental documentation, design level mapping and design services. To inform and to encourage community consensus, community stakeholder and public information center meetings will be conducted.
The tasks conducted during the LPE Phase consist of, but are not limited to:
- Development of design level base plans and structural studies to document the section process and recommended structure and aesthetic elements
- Geotechnical studies (soil boring and analysis) for foundation and pavement design
- Utility discovery and verification
- Preliminary drainage work
- Access impact evaluation
- Development of property acquisition cost estimates and project cost estimates
- Technical environmental studies (including Section 106 and Section 4(f) Evaluation)
- NEPA Document (Categorical Exclusion)