Old Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge Concrete to Get New Life as Fishing Reef

Monmouth County officials fished for a way to preserve a big chunk of Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge history while supporting the area’s ecosystem and found one.

The concrete from the old bridge that is being demolished will be shipped to a designated spot off Sandy Hook to be repurposed as part of a new fishing reef rife with some bridge history, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners announced.

“While work will continue to fully remove the old Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge until spring 2026, the concrete being used to construct a fishing reef off Sandy Hook, as approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is ready to go,” Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone said. “Creating a fishing reef from the former bridge demonstrates the county’s commitment to sustainability and to using every resource responsibly.”

This process will involve using barges to transport materials around Sandy Hook to the designated reef site.

“Fishing reefs like the one to be constructed offer numerous ecological benefits such as creating habitat for marine life, providing protection for juvenile fish and offering recreational opportunities for anglers and reef divers,” Arnone added. “My fellow Commissioners and I are proud to see the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge project contribute to both our infrastructure and our environment by transforming the old bridge into a resource that supports our coastal ecosystem.”

The demolition work is being done by Richard E. Pierson Construction Co., Inc. of Pilesgrove, NJ.

— Edited press release from Monmouth County

— Photos/Monmouth County