DOT failed to present bridge alternatives I’d like to respond to the recent comments and recommendations that were made to your paper by Richard Wells, superintendent of Sandy Hook. Behind the scenes, he appears to be one of the loudest cheerleaders for the demolition of the Highlands-Sea Bright Drawbridge. He speaks of “the best interest of the public” and “the broader human environment” Which public interest? What broader environment? Is the broader environment he refers to the redevelopment of Fort Hancock and the developers behind it? What about the environment of his neighbors? Wells states that the DOT has reached out to the communities over the last five years “in earnest.” I attended those meetings where the DOT reached out to the communities. It was explained to us that we had no choice. The mayors and councils of both Sea Bright and Highlands said last week that they had been told they had no choice. It was explained to all of us that our drawbridge had to come down, and that it had to be replaced with a modern span bridge. The community now understands that what the DOT did was illegal. They were required to present us with all the alternatives — including rehabilitation of our existing bridge. But they didn’t. Safety is more important than any of this. The DOT has stated on the record in Trenton that our drawbridge is one of the safest bridges in the state, in spite of the fact that it faces directly into the windy Atlantic Ocean. That’s because our existing drawbridge is nearly flat. But the steep fixed bridge they propose to replace it will, in winter, become for motorists an icy roller- coaster. The public can experience this ride by driving over the Victory Bridge in Perth Amboy. Imagine one of these in our community! Donna O’Callaghan Highlands