MANASQUAN, NJ – At approximately 1 p.m. today, Monmouth County reopened the 279-foot Glimmer Glass Bridge (W-9) on Fisk Avenue to reconnect Brielle and Manasquan.

“Reopening the Glimmer Glass Bridge is a welcome relief to the nearby residents and the communities of Manasquan and Brielle,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “We appreciate all the work done by George Harms Construction to complete this deck replacement project 80 days ahead of schedule.”

Weather permitting, the work had been expected to be completed by May 29, 2015. The contractor, George Harms Construction Co. Inc. of Farmingdale, returned the project site to the County on Tuesday, March 10.

“Harms Construction began work in October and worked weekends and overtime to complete the project well ahead of schedule,” said Freeholder Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. “With this being one of the coldest winters in recent memory, this was no small task.”

After Harms finished at the bridge site, Monmouth County Public Works and Engineering crews began their work to install new sidewalks and guiderails and test the movable span for other safety measures on Tuesday, March 10.

Arnone and Rich met with officials from Manasquan and Brielle, Assemblyman David P. Rible and representatives from George Harms Construction at the bridge this morning just before the final element of the repair, center lane striping on the new bridge deck, was applied.

 

“There are many people and agencies that had a hand in moving this repair project along,” said Arnone. “We thank the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the State Historic Preservation Office for helping to move the permitting process along. We also thank the Christie administration and the New Jersey Department of

 

Transportation for looking favorably on the Glimmer Glass project.”

The bridge was closed to motor vehicle traffic on August 7 as a result of significant damage to the bridge deck and immediate safety concerns. The subsequent bridge inspection and structural evaluation determined that the repairs were more significant than originally anticipated. 

The County immediately began the work to secure the permits and hire a contractor to complete the work on the bridge that was built in 1938.

“To help the contractor complete this repair project as quickly as possible, we restricted all foot and bicycle traffic from the bridge during the construction period,” said Arnone. “That created an inconvenience for many, but the benefit is seen today.”

Compounding the extended closure were the full and new moon tides and storm events that create regular tidal flooding along Brielle Road between the Glimmer Glass Bridge and Fourth Avenue.

“We appreciate the support and cooperation of both communities as we worked through the many issues related to this closure,” said Arnone. “Manasquan took advantage of the extend bridge closure to complete some associated road improvements on Brielle Road to help minimize tidal and storm flooding in the area”

 

“The County’s Public Works crews from the highway, bridge and traffic safety divisions also did yeoman’s work getting their portion of the project completed in time for this weekend,” said Arnone. “It was a team effort all around.”

“We are pleased that this project did not require the anticipated ten month closure,” said Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore. “Monmouth County is still looking to find a long term solution for the bridge that serves as a vital connector between two towns. We need a permanent replacement.”

 

The original bridge crossing the Glimmer Glass was built in 1898 as a fixed span bridge. On August 13, 1939, the current cable-lift bascule span bridge opened and began accommodating both marine and vehicle traffic.  The bridge was refurbished in the 1950s and 1970s when the original components were replaced. 

 

The Glimmer Glass Bridge is unique because it uses a rolling counterweight design to open. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 25, 2008.

 

Monmouth County owns, operates and maintains the Glimmer Glass Bridge and three other movable, draw bridges as well as 976 other bridges and culverts throughout the 427-square mile county. All of these structures are monitored and maintained by the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders oversees the operation of county government infrastructure, activities and programs.