FAQs – Monmouth County Oceanic Bridge (S-31) on Locust Point Road – Bingham Avenue (CR8A) Over the Navesink River Project

Why does this bridge need replacement?

Built in 1939, the Oceanic Bridge is 78 years old and has structural and functional limitations that do not meet today's design standards. Due to its age, the bridge has deteriorated over time, and routine maintenance can no longer address the deficiencies.

Age, deterioration, and increased traffic volume and loads (weight of vehicles) are some of the reasons why this bridge no longer meets public safety and design standards and is in need of replacement.

A Local Concept Development (LCD) Study for major rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge was completed using federal funding through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. During the study phase, a Purpose and Need Statement was developed, and a number of conceptual alternatives were evaluated to meet the project goals and objectives. Upon completion of an alternatives analysis, the recommended Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) to address the structural deficiencies was to replace the bridge. Resolutions of support for replacing the bridge were passed by the Borough of Rumson, the Township of Middletown and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.

Age and Physical Condition: The bridge was built in 1939 and is beyond its originally anticipated service life at 86 years old. The bridge has been determined to be in critical condition and is classified as structurally deficient due to its low inventory ratings (load carrying capacity). The bridge is inspected on a regular basis and is safe to travel on today at the posted weight limit of 15 tons; however, without significant ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation work, the bridge could require more restrictive load posting (further restrictions on the type and weight of vehicles allowed to use the bridge) due to the advancing deterioration of the superstructure and substructures in this severe marine environment.

Load Capacity: The bridge requires a routine inspection every two years with an interim inspection every twelve months due to the low inventory rating and the condition of the superstructure. The structure is currently load posted for 15 tons. A detour for vehicles over that limit has been established, and any vehicles exceeding 15 tons in gross vehicle weight must use the signed detour. Further deterioration of the structure may require a lower load posting.

Bridge & Approach Roadway Condition: The bridge and approach roadway width lacks shoulders, and the approach alignment is substandard on the north side. The bridge railings are substandard and do not meet current crash standards.

What is the Project Schedule?

Local Concept Development (LCD) Phase	Completed 2023
Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE) Phase	Anticipated Completion 2027
Final Design (FD) Phase	Anticipated Start 2028
Construction Phase	Start to be determined in FD Phase

What is a Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE) Project?

The LPE phase is the second phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Process for federally funded transportation improvement projects.

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 recommended Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) that is now referred to as the Preferred Alternative (PA), a number of activities are simultaneously underway: design level mapping, engineering studies, environmental documentation, agency consultation, and community involvement. As part of this phase, there will be a community stakeholders meeting and a public information center meeting to share project information and obtain input.

The tasks to be conducted during the LPE Phase consist of, but are not limited to:

Technical environmental studies (including Section 106 and Section 4(f) Evaluation)
NEPA Document (Categorical Exclusion)
Development of preliminary engineering plans
Utility discovery and verification
Preliminary drainage design
Hydraulic and hydrologic studies
Structural studies that document the structural selection process and the recommended structure and aesthetic treatments
Access impact evaluation
Development of property easement cost estimates and project cost estimates

What kind of bridge is the existing Oceanic Bridge?

The existing Oceanic Bridge is a 57-span structure with a movable double-leaf bascule superstructure at the main channel span. Bridge specifications are as follows:

The bridge spans the Navesink River, connecting the Borough of Rumson and the Township of Middletown
Year Built: 1939.
Bridge type: 57 spans; double leaf deck girder bascule main span, 16 steel deck girder approach spans, and 40 reinforced concrete tee beam approach spans.
Overall length: 2712 feet.
Bridge cartway width: 32 feet.
Navigational clearance over main channel in closed position:
- Vertical: 22 feet at Mean High Water.
- Horizontal: 75 feet.

What is the existing condition of the bridge?

The bridge is structurally deficient (poor condition), functionally obsolete (substandard geometry), and nearing the end of its service life.
Sufficiency Rating = 23.0 (out of 100).
Superstructure is in serious condition: heavy rust throughout steel members; corrosion holes in girder webs; severe section loss to floor beam bottom flanges and connections; and large spalls with exposed rusted re-bars in concrete tee-beams.
Substructure is in poor condition: wide cracking; deep spalls; exposed and severely rusted reinforcing steel; deteriorating steel pile jackets; and exposed steel H-piles.
Deck is in fair condition: spalls and incipient spalls with exposed corroded reinforcement to the underside; numerous large concrete and asphalt patches and medium-to-wide cracking to the top of deck.
Mechanical is in fair to poor condition: heavy corrosion; aged equipment; operational deficiencies; failing paint.
Electrical is in poor condition: obsolete and noncompliant components; severe corrosion; and failing paint.
Bridge is scour-critical.
Bridge railings are substandard

What is an LCD study?

A Local Concept Development (LCD) Study is the first phase of the Local Project Delivery Process for transportation improvements. During this phase, a Purpose and Need Statement will be developed focusing on the need to address structural and operational deficiencies of the bridge. The LCD Phase also includes data collection, coordination with local municipal officials, community stakeholders, and Federal and State permitting agencies; the development of a reasonable number of sensible and practical conceptual alternatives; and the recommendation.

How will the project benefit pedestrians and bicyclists?

As part of the LCD Study, the project team asked for input from the local officials and community stakeholders to understand what pedestrian and bicycle mobility and access are needed. As part of the LCD Study phase, when developing the project Purpose and Need for improvements, all modes of transportation were taken into consideration regarding the proposed bridge improvements, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit, vehicular, and marine uses. The Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) that has now advanced to the Local Preliminary Engineering Phase recommends and includes proposed sidewalks and shoulders on both sides of the proposed bridge to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access and safety.

Have the project's improvements been decided?

Yes, the recommended Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) developed during the LCD Study is for a complete bridge replacement and has advanced to the Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE) phase as the Preferred Alternative (PA), where enhancements have been developed and proposed to improve safety and mobility to recreational areas on both sides of the bridge for all modes of transportation, including pedestrians and bicyclists. The bridge replacement has been decided; however, there are proposed enhancements that are continuing to be refined during the LPE phase. Future outreach meetings will be scheduled to present project information and obtain input from the communities and public.

Who pays for the bridge replacement?

The cost of the Local Concept Development (LCD) Study, which determined that the existing Oceanic Bridge is to be replaced, was done using federal dollars. The LPE Phase is funded with federal dollars as will the future phases of Final Design and Construction are anticipated to be funded with federal dollars provided the design and construction plans meet the Federal requirements and follow the Local Capital Project Delivery Process.

How will the project affect the environment?

As part of the Local Concept Development (LCD) Study, an environmental screening was performed. The environmental screening identified the issues, concerns, and potential impacts related to the social, economic, and environmental resources. The screening includes a review of the potential impacts to air/noise receptors, ecological constraints, cultural and historic resources, publicly owned parks and recreation areas, threatened and endangered species, and hazardous materials (known contaminated sites).

At completion of the LCD Study phase, the environmental screening was prepared and reviewed by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Bureau of Environmental Program Resources (BEPR). The Preferred Alternative (PA), which has now advanced to the LPE phase, will have further environmental and cultural resource studies conducted in accordance with State and Federal permitting agencies.

Why get involved?

Monmouth County and the cooperating agencies of NJDOT and NJTPA encourage active participation in the bridge replacement project process. Community Outreach during the LCD Study was an important part of the transportation improvement process, and public outreach will continue during the current LPE phase and future phases of the project. Input from the local communities and the public contributes to this important bridge replacement project.

Why attend the public meetings?

Attendance at public meetings is a good way to make your voice heard and partner in an important project that strives to meet the community’s needs and aspirations. If you are unable to attend a meeting, you can keep tabs on new project developments by visiting the Project Website and reviewing the meeting summary reports and PowerPoint presentations. Questions can be submitted through the project email or General Comment Form.

How can I stay informed or submit comments and questions?

Monmouth County and the cooperating agencies of NJTPA and NJDOT, are committed to developing transportation improvements that best balance transportation needs, the environment, community concerns, and cost. As part of the Community Outreach effort, numerous meetings will be held to share project information and obtain input.

Please:

Check this Website regularly for updated information.
Attend Public Information Center meetings and submit comments via email or the General Comment Form.
For information about future meetings, check the announcements page.
Join the project mailing list.

What if I have other questions or concerns about the project?

Monmouth County, and the cooperating agencies of NJTPA and NJDOT, encourages community members to voice their concerns and contribute suggestions to the Project Team. To provide input, attend one of the public meetings or contact: