Closed Part of Ocean Avenue Reopens

The barriers at the foot of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge that closed off northern Ocean Avenue, from the bridge to Sandy Hook, for a few days have been taken down and the street is reopened.

The NJ Department of Transportation has been working on a temporary and permanent fix for the state highway, Route 36, since Monday morning. And Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long has announced on her Facebook page that the road would be reopened at some point Monday afternoon.

It has been cut off since the nor'easter last week. Because of the storms, the rocks that comprise the sea wall along Ocean Avenue have become dislodged. The result: sliding rocks and ocean water and sand seeping through the resulting gaping cavities.

The Gateway National Recreation Area's Facebook had the following message posted Sunday: "Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright from the Rumson Bridge to the Highlands Bridge is CLOSED INDEFINITELY!!! The ocean is now coming in under the sea wall and has washed out Ocean Ave. You must approach the park entrance from the north side of the Highlands Bridge."

See Long's Facebook page for photos of the roadway.

Long also said she is hopeful that a shift in wind direction will help ease flooding problems for a while so Sea Bright can get some Hurricane Sandy rebuilding accomplished.

"Expecting later today the wind is going to switch to the south east, which will push the water out, finally," she said on Sunday. "That break we've been waiting for right around the corner."