Stop 'runaway train' of bad bridge design

Iam very concerned that unless the citizens of the local Shore area wake up, we are going to have a monumental monstrosity foisted upon us. While I applaud the actions of groups that would like to save the Highlands Bridge, I believe that their mission, even if effective at stalling the construction of the hideous behemoth, would only temporarily forestall it's eminent demise.

For this reason I am not opposed to building a new bridge at this site. What I am vehemently opposed to is the construction of a bridge that those of us who live in this area will regret for years and years to come. What I am proposing is a redesign of the bridge.

It is not too late to fix the design of the bridge before it becomes a monument to bureaucratic stubbornness and lack of creative thinking. I have heard that millions of our tax dollars have already been spent planning and designing the bridge. I hope that is not true. If it is true, it is still not a good reason to plod on, building a bridge that will affect this entire area in a very negative way for the future.

There are many problems with the bridge as it is planned. Foremost is the scale of the thing. The bridge that we love so much fits in with the scale of the site, and provides an emotional prelude to the shore. The proposed bridge is entirely out of scale with its surroundings. It is too high, and it is entirely too wide. Ninety feet across. Are you kidding? The steep grade of the thing is more akin to an Evel Knievel launch pad. The size and scale of this bridge does not complement the small towns in our area. I do not believe that any of the people who reside here have any desire to turn our shore area into some metropolis by the sea.

The main reason offered by N.J. Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri for the height of the structure is that we cannot afford to have a drawbridge because of the labor costs incurred in manning the bridge. This is nonsense. The bridge could easily be built with modern technology to open at certain times, only if called on by boats equipped with transponder devices like the ones that are used on the parkway and turnpike. Not only would this solve the staffing problem, but it will also generate money because the Easy Bridge Pass holders would be paying a toll to open the bridge. This should appeal to the people in Trenton and at the Department of Transportation. It will be a back door tax on the rich. An easy sell, I'd say.

Another reason given is that the opening of the bridge stalls traffic. That is true. But I do not know anyone who thinks that this is bad. I love getting out of the car for a very short time to watch the beautiful sailboats pass. We also do not need or want a superhighway in Sea Bright. I believe that is the next step in the department's long view plan. Another bad idea, as it is crowded enough around here.

A smallerscale bridge should logically cost much less to build. I am sure that all of the savings will more than make up for the money poorly spent on a bad idea.

I know that there are land deed issues and lawsuits ongoing in this fiasco, but I will leave it up to the courts to make sense of that.

I am more concerned with how the bridge will look and how the bridge will impact this area and the lifestyle that we all enjoy living here.

What I would like to see is a design that complements the area, is beautiful to look at, and at the same time harnesses the energy of the tidal surge of the inlet. The current in the river is one of the strongest tidal currents in the country. I have written to Kris Kolluri and suggested that the design team open up their collective minds to see the possibilities.

Why not be the guy who is remembered as a visionary leader in innovative solutions, instead of being remembered as the state bureaucrat who ruined the Jersey Shore?

Instead of being stuck with one of New Jersey's most hated structures, couldn't we demand a bridge that is not only beautiful but also on the cutting edge of environmentally smart energy generation? I have designed a conceptual plan for a bridge that is sculptural in design, reflects the twin lights character, harnesses the energy of the river and will not affect the fish or animals in the river. I have recently read of the project in the East River that will generate electricity by harnessing the tide of the river. I do not know if the technology is the same, but the concept is. Why not incorporate this kind of technology into the design of a new bridge? I am asking all concerned citizens of this area to call and write to their representatives and ask them to stop this runaway train before it is too late.

Please give a little thought to the future of our area.

James Fitzmaurice is a resident of Rumson