UPDATE: Oceanic Bridge Fixed, Open
Debris stuck in the moveable span's gears deemed the cause for the drawbridge to be stuck in the upright position on both the Rumson and Middletown sides for about an hour this morning
If you were planning to cross the Oceanic Bridge earlier this morning, your plans were foiled for about an hour, but the bridge is now open to traffic again, according to Monmouth County officials.
"The closure was required when a minor maintenance issue occurred during a regular bridge opening," an email from the county said. "The bridge operator discovered debris on the gear that opens and closes the bascule span. County bridge staff responded, cleared the debris, tested the bridge and reopened the bridge to vehicle traffic."
The drawbridge was stuck open in the upright position on both its Rumson and Middletown sides for roughly one hour, from shortly after 9 to roughly 10:15 a.m.
In Rumson, all lanes at Bingham Avenue headed toward the bridge were closed by police. The left turn lane heading east from East River Road onto Bingham was been coned off and the right turn lane heading west on East River Road onto Bingham was closed.
All traffic barriers have been removed.
Police were stationed at Bingham at about 9:30 a.m., but left shortly after with barriers in place. According to county officials, at about 10 a.m., "The county supervisor of bridges released law enforcement on both sides of the bridge."
The drawbridge part of the bridge, technically called the bascule span, recently underwent a major overhaul and re-opened at the end of May after several months of being closed for the repairs.
*This is a breaking news story, which will be updated as more information becomes available.
NJarhead
10:29 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
That's going to cause an uproar considering it was replaced recently. Also the article states: "The drawbridge has been stuck open in the upright position on both its Rumson and Middletown sides ....." That gave me a chuckle as I don't believe it makes much of a difference which side(s) is stuck open.
Knotalot
10:52 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
WOW and we just spent 9 months fixing it!!
Elaine Van Develde
10:55 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
That was specified because the moveable span has two sides, or moveable portions. Both are stuck in the upright position, the Rumson and Middletown sides. It could have been one or the other. Just a clarification.
NJarhead
11:05 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
I understand and I didn't mean to offend the author. Just struck me funny. I guess more information is always better than less. Thank you.
Elaine Van Develde
11:10 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
No offense taken at all. Just wanted to clarify. ;)
NJarhead
12:34 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
I should point out that the look you're giving in your profile photo made me feel like I was being addressed with, "really idiot? really?" haha
Gary Parent
11:42 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
If it was just stuck on one side they could have let the cars fly up the "ramp" and land safely on the other side (like Smokey & The Bandit) in order to ease traffic congestion.
NJarhead
12:32 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
That's one version. Yet another would be Maximum Overdrive. haha
JosephGhabourLaw
2:59 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
"Debris" on the mechanism? I assumed that the previous work was to get this bridge up to speed. Why weren't a few USB cams put in spots that could cause problems, and preclude any issues?
Marc Edelman
8:38 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Really? USB Cameras? Preclude issues with a drawbridge? It is still a mechine, subject to all kinds of issues. Only a lawyer would say such a thing!
mighty mouse
9:19 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Probably some Gov. inspector left his clip board where it didn't belong!
AngryFemale
7:36 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I'm fed up and I'm not going to take it anymore!