KEAN ASKS
DOT TO HOLD PUBLIC FORUM
ON HIGHLANDS BRIDGE PROJECT
WANTS RESIDENTS TO BE
HEARD BEFORE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD
Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) recently wrote a letter
to the Department of Transportation asking that a public
forum be held to discuss the Highlands Bridge project.
Assemblyman Kean wants Sea Bright and Highlands
municipal officials and residents to be afforded the
opportunity to personally speak with the DOT about this
project.
Assemblyman Kean wrote, “Before you proceed with this
construction project, I would urge you to hold a public
forum in Sea Bright or Highlands so that local residents
can voice their opinions about this project.”
In the
letter, Kean outlined a few of the reasons why this
community is opposed to replacing the current Highlands
drawbridge with a new fixed-span bridge.
“Sea
Bright and Highlands believe this bridge to be of
significant historical value and would like to preserve
this prominent structure that enhances the coastal
landscape of the area,” stated Assemblyman Kean.
In
addition, the Assemblyman also suggested that it may be
more expensive to completely destroy the current bridge
and construct a new one.
“Both
Highlands and Sea Bright maintain that the Highlands
Bridge is in functioning condition and believe it would
be more cost efficient to keep the original bridge and
make repairs rather than completely replace it with a
fixed-span bridge,” wrote Kean.
Furthermore, in his letter Kean challenged the argument
that a fixed-span bridge would alleviate traffic
congestion in this area.
"Department of Transportation has stated that the
primary reason for replacing the drawbridge with a
fixed-span bridge is to eliminate the traffic congestion
that occurs when the current drawbridge opens and
closes.” Kean continued, “While traffic issues are a
concern, officials from both municipalities assert that
not all the traffic problems in this area are a result
of the drawbridge.”
Assemblyman Kean is hopeful that DOT officials will
agree to hold a public forum so that residents and local
officials can express their views on the Highlands
Bridge project before the project moves forward.
Letter
Attached
December
19, 2006
Commissioner Kris Kolluri
New Jersey Department of Transportation
PO Box 600
Trenton, NJ 08625-0600
Dear
Commissioner Kolluri:
As you
are surely aware, both the Borough of Highlands and the
Borough of Sea Bright are opposed to the plan to replace
the Highlands drawbridge that connects these two
municipalities.
Before
you proceed with this construction project, I would urge
you to hold a public forum in Sea Bright or Highlands so
that local residents can voice their opinions about this
project.
Sea
Bright and Highlands believe this bridge to be of
significant historical value and would like to preserve
this prominent structure that enhances the coastal
landscape of the area.
In
addition, both Highlands and Sea Bright maintain that
the Highlands Bridge is in functioning condition and
believe it would be more cost efficient to keep the
original bridge and make repairs rather than completely
replace it with a fixed-span bridge.
According to recent news reports, the Department of
Transportation has stated that the primary reason for
replacing the drawbridge with a fixed-span bridge is to
eliminate the traffic congestion that occurs when the
current drawbridge opens and closes. While traffic
issues are a concern, officials from both municipalities
assert that not all the traffic problems in this area
are a result of the drawbridge.
Thank
you for your attention to this matter and please feel
free to contact me about this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Sean T.
Kean
Assemblyman, 11th District
cc: Borough of Highlands, Borough of Sea Bright
