Pedestrian overpasses would make bridge safer

I read last week's article on the local group that's hoping to save the historic Highlands drawbridge. I think two things are worth pointing out.

First, that the article quotes the DOT as saying the DOT hopes to demolish the bridge in spite of the Historic Sites Council's recommendation "in order to ensure the safety of motorists." This is the same argument they tried to use on the Historic Sites Council. It was apparently an argument that worked well until the Historic Sites Council members started asking tougher questions like what the accident rate is at the Highlands drawbridge.

It turns out the accident rate at the existing drawbridge is about half what it is at comparable other bridges around the state. It turns out that our beautiful old drawbridge is unusually safe. The DOT's argument about motorists' safety is an argument the Historic Sites Council didn't believe, and it's an argument we shouldn't believe either. We all have the sense to see for ourselves that a low, quiet drawbridge is safer than a tall, steep, fixed bridge. A new bridge with that kind of grade would be a black ice trap in the wet northeasterly winds off the ocean in winter time.

The second thing that's worth pointing out is that the Sea Bright Borough Council had lots to say about where a new pedestrian walkway would be located at the new bridge. But they had nothing to say about whether the Highlands drawbridge should be repaired and maintained instead of being demolished. The reason for that is simple: the Sea Bright Borough Council had been convinced by the DOT that there was no option other than demolition, just as the DOT convinced everyone in Sea Bright of the same thing. We've all been tricked. I hope Sea Bright takes legal steps to rescind its signature on its contract with the DOT, based upon the lies it's been told to trick them into demolishing this area's most gorgeous landmark - the views from and to the Twin Lights.

The DOT and the heavy construction firms it hires want to build an expensive monster bridge in our community. That doesn't mean we are required to let them.

There is another option at the drawbridge, which is repairing and upgrading what we've got. The DOT can and should install pedestrian overpasses to make it even safer.

The more letters this group has, the stronger they can make their case to the governor. As for me, I've just written one, and handed it to Jim Parla for delivery to these public officials.

Stephen A. Garelli

Sea Bright