Construction Is Underway On The New Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge

RUMSON, NJ — Construction on the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge started on Friday, Monmouth County officials announced.

“We are thrilled to break ground today for the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone.

The County has received federal funding to cover the $107.5 million cost of the construction, as well as inspection and administration ($7.2 million), construction support services ($5.74 million) and the previous design, engineering, and permitting costs ($10.9 million).

In total, the project will benefit from over $130 million in federal grants.

“Our groundbreaking this morning was a great milestone in getting our new bridge construction started. We can’t thank the Monmouth County Commissioners and County Engineer Joseph Ettore and his engineering team enough for their dedication to this project,” Rumson Mayor Joseph K. Hemphill said. “Our town is lucky to be in this County. As Commissioner Arnone said, ‘This County and its towns have a great working relationship. Because of that, we get things done.’ I want to thank the County for our new bridge.”

Sea Bright Mayor Brian P. Kelly echoed the sentiment.

"The County has facilitated and planned carefully for this project for close to a decade and we know the construction phase will be safe and successful,” Kelly said. “We are also very happy the current bridge will remain operational while the new bridge to the South is being constructed."

Construction will happen in stages and traffic along County Route 520 (Rumson Road) will be maintained at all times. Vehicles will use the existing bridge while the new bridge is under construction. When the new bridge is ready, traffic will be shifted to the new bridge and the old one will be demolished.

Marine traffic will also be maintained with no planned closures of the navigational channel.

The anticipated date of completion of the project is early 2025.

The project is being overseen in cooperation with Monmouth County, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Monmouth County awarded the construction contract to Richard E. Pierson Construction Co., Inc, of Pilesgrove on May 27, 2021, in the amount of $107,538,389.20.