New summer schedule for Rumson-Sea Bright bridge openings

The Rumson-Sea Bright bridge over the Shrewsbury River will be raised for marine traffic hourly, on the hour. from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays this summer season, staring on Friday, May 25 through Labor Day, Monday September 3, under an agreement between Monmouth County and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to an announcement by Freeholder Director Tom Arnone.

In previous years, the bridge opened every half hour from May 15 through September 30.

The Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering requested that the U.S. Coast Guard consider an alternative schedule in attempt to balance the seasonally high volume of roadway traffic during peak hours with the needs of marine traffic.

“The current schedule provides that the bridge open for marine traffic on the hour and half hour which causes significant delays for vehicles traveling on the bridge,” said Arnone, liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering. “The County has requested an alternative schedule to lessen the impact on the public traveling over the bridge and the surrounding communities.

“The County’s Division of Engineering will be monitoring the test schedule very closely and hopes that the expected positive impact of this schedule change will lead to a permanent change of the current regulations.”

Follow the season, the Coast Guard will determine the future schedule for the bridge, based on data collected and public comments.