This is test — for another summer. A trial measure has been once again put in place to quell seasonally high traffic volume between Rumson and Sea Bright via the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge.

The Monmouth County drawbridge which spans over the Shrewsbury River, will again open less frequently for a test period of time, Monmouth County engineering officials announced, calling the schedule a “temporary deviation.”

During the summer on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., the drawbridge will only open every hour on the hour. “Until a permanent rule change takes effect, this modification to the schedule will need to be implemented on a weekly basis,” a released statement from the county said. In other words, the U.S. Coast Guard reaffirm this deviation on a weekly basis all summer long, unless an emergent situation arises. Previously, the bridge opened every half hour from May 15 to Sept. 30 in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations.

However, gridlock traffic between the two towns and a better balance with boater traffic was needed as the county moves into implementation of its plan to build a new bridge, construction of which is slated to start in 2021. Currently, the project is in its design phase. The bridge, built in 1950, which has been determined to have exhausted its useful life, is traversed by up to 15,000 vehicles during the peak summer season.

County officials have said that the test schedule will be monitored for effectiveness to facilitate a permanent change in current regulations.

The U.S. Coast Guard will make a final decision on the future bridge opening schedule based on data collected during the test period and public comments. For more information about the Coast Guard’s notice to Monmouth County’s engineers, click here.

Inquiries may be directed to Denis Walsh, P.E., Monmouth County Principal Engineer at 732-431-7760, ext. 8550.