Sea Bright, Highlands at odds with DOT on bridge Resolutions oppose demolition of span, fixed replacement BY LIZ SHEEHAN Correspondent Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge Sea Bright and Highlands, the two towns that are connected by the 74-year-old drawbridge that spans the Shrewsbury River, have sent a clear message to the state that they do not want the bridge replaced. The Borough councils of both municipalities last week unanimously passed similar resolutions stating their opposition to the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to demolish the 35-foot-high drawbridge and replace it with a new, 65-foot-high fixed bridge. The resolution passed Tuesday night by the Sea Bright Borough Council questions whether the state agency has given the public the same version of the findings of a study of the condition of the bridge the DOT received. Sea Bright’s resolution advises the state and the DOT “of the Borough’s opposition to any construction project involving the Highlands and Sea Bright Draw Bridge that would destroy and replace that historically significant bridge.” The Borough Council of Highlands approved a similar resolution on Wednesday night. A DOT spokeswoman, Erin Phalon, said Monday that “DOT inspection data show that the bridge is structurally unsound and needs to be replaced.” The DOT contends that the bridge must be replaced to improve motorist safety, to make the span more efficient and to accommodate ever-increasing vehicular traffic to Sandy Hook. But a resolution passed unanimously in October by the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Historic Sites Council, an advisory group, recommended that the DEP commissioner deny the DOT’s application to proceed with the replacement bridge because of the adverse effect on the view of and from the historic Navesink Twin Lights. The council’s resolution said the DOT “had failed to adequately demonstrate that rehabilitation of the existing bridge would not be prudent and feasible, thereby avoiding the adverse effect to Twin Lights.” The Sea Bright resolution said the council and mayor of Sea Bright “Hereby direct and support the NJDOT to repair” the existing bridge. It said the mayor and council “Hereby withdraw all support for the destruction of the Highlands to Sea Bright Draw Bridge and formally oppose the planned construction of the fixed span bridge.” The resolution calls into question the reasons stated by the DOT concerning the need to replace the existing bridge. It said “The information regarding the need for the destruction of the Highlands to Sea Bright Draw Bridge that was provided to the public by the New Jersey Department of Transportation has been called into question and is reportedly different from the information provided to the government,” the resolution states. The bridge “is functioning in sound condition, has an exemplary safety record and can be repaired and maintained in its present form, likely for less money then it would cost for a new bridge,” it continues. The resolution also states that the borough agrees with the state and its Office of Historic Preservation that a commitment should be made “to enhancing the quality of life of the residents of New Jersey through the preservation and appreciation of our collective past by preserving historically significant structures.” It said the bridge is a “double leaf bascule draw bridge which is historically significant, is part of the New Jersey Coast heritage and represents the character and ambiance of the area surrounding the bridge.” The resolution passed by the Sea Bright Council directed the borough clerk to forward certified copies to Gov. Jon Corzine, as well as Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, Reps. Frank Pallone and Rush Holt, the state senators and assembly members in the area, local elected officials and borough councils, and the commissioners of the DEP and DOT. A group of local residents who want to preserve the existing bridge have banded together to form the Coalition for Sandy Hook Ferry Service and are advocating for a park-and-ride service that would provide ferry transportation from the Highlands to Sandy Hook to cut down on the volume of summer traffic over the bridge headed to beaches on Sandy Hook. At the Sea Bright council meeting, a member of the public asked if the borough was considering seeking an injunction to block demolition of the bridge. Borough Attorney Scott Arnette said he could not comment on matters that could involve litigation. Sea Bright Mayor Jo-Ann Kalaka-Adams has said the bridge should be declared an historic landmark because of its association with the Twin Lights. She also voiced concerns about motorist safety because the new bridge would be twice as high and exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and therefore more subject to icing conditions. She said previously the borough would consider seeking an injunction to stop destruction of the bridge, slated to begin in April. On Monday, Councilwoman Maria Fernandes said that “as of right now” the borough has not asked for an injunction. She said she would be attending a meeting on Dec. 15 with other borough officials and representatives of the DOT to discuss the bridge. But Fernandes said she does not expect the subject of the borough’s and Highlands’ resolutions to come up since the agenda is set by the DOT. The meeting is not open to the public.