Friends of the Oceanic Bridge

DEADLINE DAY: OCTOBER 16, 2020

Friends of the Oceanic Bridge Association

Reasons not to support a 65’ high water level clearance fixed bridge replacement:

• The 65’ high water level clearance bridge will drastically affect the recreational use of the bridge with a 5% grade for all walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The bridge is used daily by many people for recreational use.
• A 65’ plus high fixed bridge is completely out character for the two Historic Districts of Rumson & the Locust section of Middletown that the Oceanic Bridge connects.
• A 65’ high water clearance fixed bridge will be over 80’ high overall and will dramatically dominate the viewshed of the entire area.
• A high fixed span bridge will substantially increase the noise pollution from the vehicular traffic crossing the bridge for a large area around the bridge that has never been an issue before.
• A high fixed span bridge with grades of up to 5% have the likelihood of causing safety issues for all vehicles during icy and snowy weather conditions which has never been an issue in the past.
• Reasons to support a 45’ high water level clearance movable bridge:
• A 45’ high water level clearance bridge will let 79%-97% of all boat traffic pass through it without having to open the bridge.
• The midlevel movable bridge will have a grade of 3.69% which will considerably reduce the impact on all people who use the bridge for recreational uses compared to a 5% grade 65’ high bridge.
• The midlevel movable bridge can be designed with a similar look as the award winning & Historic Art Modern design of the 1939 bridge. This will also be more in line with the 2 Historic Districts connecting the bridge.
• A 45’ high clearance movable bridge would be almost half as high as the 65’ water level clearance fixed bridge. (48.18’ vs 80.96’) The lower of the 2 bridges will substantially lessen the impact of the new bridge on the spectacular vistas of the surrounding properties for which the area is known.