This is a test. A trial measure is in place to abate seasonally high traffic volume between Rumson and Sea Bright.

The Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, the drawbridge which spans over the Shrewsbury River, will open less frequently, on the hour only rather than every half hour, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays this summer season. The trial begins on Friday, May 25, and will be in effect through Sept. 3.

With the more frequent opening of the bridge last summer, traffic was often gridlocked. So, Monmouth County officials called this summer season for the trial test period of opening the bridge on the hour at on those peak seasonal travel days to keep traffic flowing. So, starting on May 25, and on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, the bridge will open for marine traffic every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other times, the bridge will be opened on demand as necessary.

Previously, the bridge opened every half hour from May 15 through Sept. 30, according to the Code of Federal Regulations.

“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,” Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Department of Public Works and Engineering, said in a released statement. “The county has requested an alternative schedule to lessen the impact on the public traveling over the bridge and the surrounding communities.”

County officials have also requested that the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed on nearby Sandy Hook, consider an alternative schedule in attempt to balance the seasonally high volume of roadway traffic between Rumson and Sea Bright with the needs of boaters on the Shrewsbury River during peak hours.

“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,” said Arnone.

The Coast Guard will make a final decision on the future bridge opening schedule based on data collected during the test period and public comments.

If you have questions and/or concerns about the test bridge opening schedule, call or email Ms. Donna Leoce, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District at 212–514–4332, or email her at [email protected].