Monmouth Co. Awards $107.5M To Replace Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge

RUMSON, NJ – County officials announced on Tuesday the award of a $107.5 million contract for the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge replacement project. Construction is slated to address the bridge replacement and improvements to the approaching roadway intersections, along with the implementation of a coastal evacuation route for Sea Bright.

During a meeting on May 27, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners awarded the $107,538,389.20 construction contract for the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge on County Route 520 (Rumson Road) over the Shrewsbury River in the Boroughs of Rumson and Sea Bright to the lowest bidden, Richard E. Pierson Construction Co., Inc. of Pilesgrove.

Monmouth County will be receiving all but $47,400 of the total $107.5 million construction cost in federal grants, as well as grant funding for inspection, consulting and administrative costs. This funding - plus the funding already received for design and permitting - will add up to more than $131 million in federal funds, officials said.

“Due to the age of the bridge, it has deteriorated over time and routine maintenance can no longer address the deficiencies,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering.

“Monmouth County, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and New Jersey Department of Transportation will build the new bridge along the south side of the existing bridge so that we will be able to keep this vital crossing over the Shrewsbury River operational for vehicular and marine traffic throughout the construction period.”

The Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge (S 32) carries CR 520 (Rumson Road) across the Shrewsbury River between Rumson and Sea Bright. This bridge serves as one of two evacuation and emergency routes in times of tidal flooding and coastal storms. The existing aging structure is at the end of its service life and requires complete replacement, the state DOT previously told Patch.

“I am happy to inform our taxpayers that this project will be constructed almost entirely with federal funds,” Arnone said. “That is $131 million worth of taxpayers’ dollars that we do not have to spend on this very critical bridge replacement project.”

Monmouth County claimed the former Dunkin’ on Ocean Avenue by eminent domain for the bridge remodeling project. The location shuttered in December 2020 after more than 17 years. Read more: New Fair Haven Dunkin' Location As Sea Bright Storefront Shutters

With additional reporting by Carly Baldwin.