After Monmouth County engineers examined the problem and were able to ensure safety to motorists after a Thursday morning mudslide onto the road before the Oceanic Bridge, the span was again open to traffic on late Saturday afternoon — until Jan. 7.
On Jan. 7, the bridge will close again for an estimated three weeks to add upgraded equipment and new gates, or safety updates, according to county officials.
The update installation, officials said, had been pending for some time.
Officials also stressed that the emergency closure caused by what they deemed a "slope failure" on the banks of the Navesink on the bridge's Middletown side had nothing to do with the pending Jan. 7 closure or the bridge itself, only the land above it.
Paul Sully
10:58 am on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Still no one is addressing who's paying for their mistake. Willoughby's most pay for clear cutting the slope!!
LN
3:32 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Elaine, thanks for the reporting. There is nothing more aggravating than suddendly finding out that bridge is closed! It's a lonnnnngggg way around. I, for one, appreciate the information. Thank you and please keep up the good work!
Elaine Van Develde
7:37 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
No problem. As soon as I find something out, I share it asap. I feel your pain. ;)
D.S.
12:13 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
The Wilby's had no trees on the slope. Everyone should get their facts straight before blaming the incorrect party.
B.W.
5:54 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
I would like to set the record straight about the supposed "clear cutting" of the embankment leading to the oceanic bridge. 1) there was no embankment failure on the Wilby's property. 2) prior to closing on the purchase of the house at 946 NRR the Wilby's removed 5 trees, all of which were required by the township to be removed, in order to replace their septic system (also required by the township prior to closing on the purchase). 3) Only one tree even touched the upper part of the Wilby's embankment (required removal for crane access to the yard for septic replacement), and the root system and part of the trunk was left intact. 4) These trees were only removed after considerable opposition from the Wilby's to removing any trees, and these 5 were allowed as the least damaging solution to the township required septic replacement. A check of township records will confirm these facts.
Fred A. Blumberg
6:01 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Sorry was given wrong map information, apology below...
Alice McKenny
5:58 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
This is a freakin joke Someone should be fired over this.
davem
9:12 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
The trees in question were on a property adjacent to the Wilbys which is owned by Annarella.
Fred A. Blumberg
6:11 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Sorry, for using incorrect information, my source has been reprimanded and I apologize sincerely for looking at the tax maps incorrectly...
apparently it was the wilby's neighbors who were responsible for the tree situation.