Highlands bridge - blink and you'll miss it

[bababooey]

Work on Highlands Bridge begins Monday

by Maryann Spoto Saturday July 05, 2008, 10:52 AM


Half the lanes of traffic on the Route 36 Highlands Bridge will be shut down beginning Monday morning as the state Department of Transportation prepares for its demolition.

The inside lanes of the bridge, which connects Sea Bright and Atlantic Highlands over the Shrewsbury River, will be closed while DOT crews install curb and fencing. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open.

The work is in preparation for the shift of all traffic to the northbound side of the bridge on July 14 for crews to demolish the southbound approach spans of the existing bridge. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction for the duration of the work on building new southbound lanes, which is expected to be completed next summer.

Following that project, traffic will be shifted to the new span for demolition and rebuilding of the northbound lanes. That work is expected to last until December 2010.

The $124.5 million project will replace the 76-year-old drawbridge that has a 35-foot clearance with a fixed span having a 65-foot clearance.

Demolition of the southbound lanes was originally scheduled for June 23, but DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri, at the urging of state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) agreed to postpone the work until after the busy Fourth of July weekend.

[DarkSkies]

Lotta good memories fishing under and near that bridge. The construction is gonna ruin it for everyone except guys in boats. :( Life goes on, as fishermen we'll adapt, maybe gotta start strappin on the fins and skishin under there on weeknights. :rolleyes: :laugh:

I dedicate this thread to the memories. Took some pics today, I'll fill in when I get a chance. Anyone who has pics of what the bridge used to look like, let's see em! If ya want to put up some stories how things used to be, that would be cool too.

[DarkSkies]

highlands

[DarkSkies]

bridge

[DarkSkies]

blink

[DarkSkies]

and

[DarkSkies]

youll

[DarkSkies]

miss

[DarkSkies]

it

[surfwalker]

Good structure, nice current. Seems like whenever I left the Hook, that bridge was always in the open position. Was always my excuse to turn around and plug a few more hours, try to satisfy the itch.

Happy Trails

[voyager35]

They just opened the southbound lanes to traffic today. Who's got pics of the old bridge? Dark, whatever happened to the ones you were going to post?

[plugcrazy]

I got some pics. Did some research and it there was originally a train bridge attached to the auto lanes. Somewhere in the early 1900s they tore the old one down, and, get this, a new one was built for ONLY $1mm. Boy how construction costs have changed!

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[plugcrazy]

Did anyone know gold coins were found of the streets of the early Highlands settlement. Maybe coins washed up from the pirates' booty? You learn something new every day.







Highlands History TIME LINE
By John P. King
1524 JuneFirst Europeans see Highlands: Giovanni da Verrazano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_da_Verrazzano) aboard the Dauphine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Dauphine).
1525 MayPortuguese explorer, Estevan Gomez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esteban_Gómez), sails for Charles V (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_V,_Holy_Roman_Emperor) of Spain, sees Highlands area.

1529First map of Highlands area, made by Spanish Diego Ribero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Ribero), names Sandy Hook as Cabo de Arenas (cape of sands) and the river as Rio de Santiago (river of St. James).

1609 September 2Henry Hudson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hudson) first sees the Highlands area.
1609 September 6John Coleman of Hudson's crew is first European casualty in North America, killed by a Lenape (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenape) arrow through the neck.

1678Richard Hartshorne (http://www.highlandsnj.com/history/Richard%20Hartshorne.html) settles in the Highlands.
1678Hartshorne's deed for Sandy Hook and all activities by Indians there effectively removes Lenape from the entire Highlands peninsula.
1734Highlands' oldest surviving house is built on Portland Road between Thompson and Riker Streets (It has a secret tunnel of unknown date leading from its cellar to the river).
1762The first single beacon lighthouse may have been built on the site of the Twin Lights, according to uncertain written evidence.

1777 February 13First battle in Monmouth County, the Battle of Navesink (http://www.highlandsnj.com/history/BATTLE%20OF%20THE%20NAVESINK%201777.pdf), when 170 British troops attack and rout patriot Monmouth County militia post at the Esek Hartshorne house.
1778 June 29-July 5British General Clinton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Clinton_(1730–1795)) "retreats" to Sandy Hook through Highlands after his defeat at the Battle of Monmouth.
1782 April 12Captain Joshua Huddy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Huddy) hanged at Water Witch.

1783 December 30and 31Eleven seamen desert British ship HMS Assistance and reach Highlands shore. They are pursued by an 14 man force led by Lieut. Hamilton Douglas-Halyburton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Douglas_Halyburton), all of whom perish in a snow storm and are found on the Highlands shore. Most are buried in a common grave on Sandy Hook.

1790 JunePresident George Washington (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington), Thomas Jefferson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson), and Alexander Hamilton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton) go on fishing trip off Highlands.

1790Philip Freneau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Freneau) writes his poem "Navesink" focused on the Highlands hills.1798First hotel is started by Nimrod Woodward in the Esek Hartshorne house. The start of Highlands tourism.

1805-1811James Fennimore Cooper serves in the navy doing shore patrol of the Raritan Bay area and becomes familiar with Highlands.
1812 or beforeNimrod Woodward builds the "White House" hotel, the first located on the river.1812 June 19Militia troops stationed in Highlands against a possible British attack upon the area.
1813 March 31Fort Gates is established in Highlands hills with rifle and artillery companies against a possible British attack.

1813 July 4British sloop Eagle captured in Sandy Hook bay by American troops disguised as fisherman.1819The steamboat Franklin is first to stop at Highlands en route to New York, beginning the steamboat age which runs for 110 years.

1828The first Twin Lights are built, with Joshua Doty as first Keeper.

1857Infamous murder of Albert Moses by James Donnelly at Sea View Hotel.
1857 winterAll waters in rivers and bays frozen as far as Long Island.

1858 Fort on Sandy Hook is begun.

1860Highlands population 213 persons.1860Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad connects New York via steamboat at Port Monmouth to Red Bank.1861 AprilCivil War starts and soldiers are stationed on Sandy Hook., Staten Island, N.Y.1863Highlands

1865 July 31The Long Branch and Sea Shore Railroad begins its run between Long Branch and Spermaceti Cove steamboat dock, with Highland Station on Sandy Hook at the present bridge site, thus bringing New York City vacationers to the shore.

1865
The first steam ferry of James Schenck carried city vacationers from the Long Branch and Sea Shore Railroad station across to Highlands.1866Merchants Steamboat Company's Sea Bird begins the New York to Highlands run, ending in 1926.

1870The Spermaceti Cove steamboat dock is abandoned due to shallow water and one is built at Horseshoe Cove for the Long Branch and Sea Shore Railroad.

1872Noted engraver Granville Perkins comes to Highlands to sketch several scenes for the first edition of Picturesque America.

1872 December 5The first Highlands-Sea Bright bridge was opened by the Highlands Bridge Company of Edward and Benjamin Hartshorne.1874 August 7The Sandy Hook Proving Grounds are established on Sandy Hook.

1875 Highlands population is 305 persons.

1875 July 1The draw bridge is struck by a sloop and wrecked.1875Western Union takes over marine observation and builds a tower/residence for its operators.

1878 June 27The second Highlands bridge is opened with a wider draw for boats.

1880Highlands population is 460 persons.

1883/84The Twin Lights are powered by mineral oil and produce 20,000 candle power.

The south tower of the Twin Lights is fitted with an electric arc light to produce 25,000,000 candle power output.1892 SpringThe Central Railroad of New Jersey extends its track from Atlantic Highlands to Highlands at the river by Bahrs restaurant.

1892 May 30The Central Railroad of N.J. open the new "criss-cross" bridge, allowing train, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic to use a common center/draw section.

1892 July 9Mirages appear all afternoon in the skies off Highland Beach.April 11Schooner Kate Markee and 8 sailors lost on Highland Beach. during a fierce gale.

1895The Water Witch Club purchased all the lands of Monmouth Hills and the present Water Witch area of Highlands to develop the lands for exclusive summer vacation sites for wealthy "members" of the club.1895Water Witch train station is constructed at Water Witch Avenue and Shore Drive.

1895 October 30Fort Hancock is established on Sandy Hook.


1905 November 1 Sixty clammers unite to form the Baymen's Protective Association and purchase the Association Lot.

1907 September 1The first trolley of the Jersey Central Traction Company arrives in Highlands from Campbell's Junction and Red Bank.

1910--1923Gravelly Point summer residents live in tents

1910 September 1, 2, 3The Highlands Businessmen's Association sponsors the first Highlands Carnival to celebrate the town's first 10 years.

1919Fred Bedle purchases Grandin Johnson's Drug store and opens his Bedle Drugs at 165 Bay Avenue. The shops ran under this name until 1990.

1920 January 20Prohibition makes Highlands a center for illicit trade on water and land for illegal whiskey.

1922The trolley line from Red Bank to Highlands is abandoned.1922 February 22The Burdge and Russell Bus Company assumes the old trolley route from Red Bank to Highlands.1923 SummerThe New (Highlands) Auditorium Theatre opens. The old Auditorium built in 1908 becomes the Auditorium Garage.1924In the Twin Lights an incandescent lamp replaces the arc light to produce 9,000,000 candle power output.

1924 November 11Veterans Memorial by bridge is dedicated.

1925 January 1New York City imposes ban on all Highlands clams; ban is lifted October 15, 1935.


1927 June 1An earth quake, with is epicenter in Long Branch, shakes Highlands.1928 May

1931 The State of New Jersey opens the new concrete highway called Route 36 from Keyport to Highlands.1932The last of the steamboats, the Little Silver, was scrapped.

1932 August 11Concrete support work is begun for Highlands-Sea Bright bridge.1932 November 10Highlands is battered by a fierce storm bringing 2 feet of flood water onto all of Bay Avenue.1932The second church building of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish is dedicated.

1933The State of New Jersey Highway Department opens the present Highlands draw bridge, called the Million Dollar Bridge. The old bridge is rebuilt leaving only the rail crossing. Timber from the old vehicle bridge is used in a WPA project to build the Water Witch bulkhead.1933 August 19The Western Union Marine Observation Tower at Twin Lights is demolished and but operations are continued on Sandy Hook.

1933 July 6N. J. state is permitted by Federal authorities to regulate the sale of beer (2.5%), as Prohibition begins to come to an end nation-wide and close to 40 licenses are sold in Highlands.

1933 August 23James "Buff" Marson is murdered in the Albion Hotel resulting in an infamous trial of County Detectives for official misconduct.1934 March 9Clothing factory opens on site of old public school.1935 July 19A&P food store opens at Bay Ave. and Miller St.1935 August 1Radar or the "Secret Ray" is tested from Twin Lights hill.1935 September 30The Greenland Hotel is destroyed by fire.1936 September 24Dredging of the river channel allows spoils to fill in swamp areas in Water Witch.

1943Western Union buys Postal Telegraph Company and closes the Marine Observation site at Sandy Hook.1944 SeptemberA treacherously powerful hurricane devastates the Highlands, sweeping homes from foundations and carrying them blocks away.

1948 AprilThe Highlands Gold Rush takes place after gold coins were found on the beach at Cedar Street.1950 summerGolden Anniversary Celebration

1951 August 15Route of Garden State Parkway is set to by-pass all bayshore towns.

1951 September 15The New York-Keansburg-Long Branch bus company starts its run through Highlands.1952The Twin Lights are de-activated and shut off.1952Shadow Lawn Trailer Park opens.1952Air Raid Drills are held and safe Shelters are established in town.1952 April 25Ground breaking for VFW Post 6902 takes place.1953 November 17North East storm floods Bay Ave. with 3 feet of water.1954 January 15Ft. Hancock to become Nike Missile base.

1954 late AprilThe last steam locomotive ran to Highlands on the Central Railroad of N. J. line.

1955 April 29Highlands Community Center, Inc. is formed to convert and operate the old water pumping station building on Miller St. (at site of Frank Hall Park) as a Community Center.

1960 September 12Hurricane Donna devastates Highlands.1961 October 8The present Borough Hall and Firehouse are dedicated.1962 March 6-7Three day powerful northeaster storm devastates Highlands.1962 July 14Sandy Hook State Park opens; Ft. Hancock continues through 1974.1962 SeptemberHenry Hudson Regional School at 1 Grand Tour opens for the first year.1963 SeptemberO.L.P.H. opens school classes in the new school building at Miller Street and Highland Avenue.1965Twin Lights is made a National Historic Site.

1968 summerHydrofoil ferry service using a Russian built boat begins.1971 AugustPeople's National Bank starts operation from a trailer at 34 Bay Ave.

1973 November 1Robert Soleau seeks permission to operate a clam depuration plant near the Highlands bridge.

1974 December 31Fort Hancock deactivated and Gateway National Recreation Area assumes control.

1984 March 29Major storm hits Highlands with $3 million in damage and 4' of water in places.

1989 May 2TNT Hydroline initiates commuter ferry service to Pier 11.1991 January 29Cipriani's alas the Cedar Inn burns to ground.1992

December 12Northeast storm batters Highlands with terrific destruction.

1997 June 27"Welcome to Highlands, Gateway to Sandy Hook" sign is dedicated.

1998 In JulyThe Water Witch House Bed and Breakfast, Highlands' second such inn, is opened at 254 Navesink Avenue, by Helen and John King.1999 January 3A large portion of the hillside at 65 South Linden Ave collapses and destroys the Highland Shores Condo unit number one, and partially damages number two. No persons are injured.

2001 NovemberHighlands' third history book is published by Arcadia Publishing, Highlands, New Jersey, authored by John P. King, in the series called the "Making of America."


http://www.highlandsnj.com/history/Highlands%20History%20TIME%20LINE.html

[hookset]

Cool pics and history. I can't imagine any public construction today that could be completed for a million or less. Just the feasibility study would cost half that.:kooky:

[hookset]

some crane pics

[voyager35]

Did anyone know gold coins were found of the streets of the early Highlands settlement. Maybe coins washed up from the pirates' booty? You learn something new every day.






1933The State of New Jersey Highway Department opens the present Highlands draw bridge, called the Million Dollar Bridge. The old bridge is rebuilt leaving only the rail crossing. Timber from the old vehicle bridge is used in a WPA project to build the Water Witch bulkhead.1933 August 19The Western Union Marine Observation Tower at Twin Lights is demolished and but operations are continued on Sandy Hook.



One bridge = 1 million $$. What a concept. I was reading they want to replace the Pulaski Skyway, but said estimated costs would be 1 Billion. Big difference here in 66 years. Even inflation doesn't account for that cost structure.

Early season pictures of the bridge-

[dogfish]

One bridge = 1 million $$. What a concept. I was reading they want to replace the Pulaski Skyway, but said estimated costs would be 1 Billion. Big difference here in 66 years. Even inflation doesn't account for that cost structure.

Early season pictures of the bridge-

Most every public works proect I have seen them do recently ends up with big cost overruns. Ex - the big dig - way over budget and still had some problems when it was done. Your federal tax dollars hard at work.:rolleyes:

[storminsteve]

Bridge pics,


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[seamonkey]

I got some pics. Did some research and it there was originally a train bridge attached to the auto lanes. Somewhere in the early 1900s they tore the old one down, and, get this, a new one was built for ONLY $1mm. Boy how construction costs have changed!

8067

8068

8069

thanks for posting. It is amazing the difference between the old and new.

[buckethead]

There are some great memories to that old bridge. When we were kids we would park on the side streets and walk over the bridge to enter SH for free. Many times we had to stop and were able to watch the boats moving through.

[jigfreak]

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[fishinmission78]

Nice pics fellas. You must have gotten this one when the dolphins were around.

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8071&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1257013261 (http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8071&d=1257013261)

[jigfreak]

God do I miss that fishing. More 30's and 40's than anywhere else. They say you can't fight progress. we fishermen should have fought that, or at least had them keep part of the old bridge up. Best fishing in NNJ, sayonara.:burn:

[skinner]

. Best fishing in NNJ, sayonara.:burn:

X2. :(

Pic of the new construction when they were building.

[paco33]

Awesome pics, guys.

[skinner]

God do I miss that fishing. More 30's and 40's than anywhere else.

Yup

[porgy75]

I do not have any experience fishing that bridge like you old timers. Heard the fishing was legendary. Thanks for sharing the pics and stories.

[hookedonbass]

We lost one of the best bridges to fish off of. The end of an era when they knocked down the old one

[buckethead]

The highlands bridge was mentioned in the other thread so I did a search for this thread. Back in the day all the sea bright old timers would fish it at night. A lot of really nice fish were caught there. There was a lot of bottom structure that created some great eddies and pools. When the new bridge was put in that all changed.

[cowherder]

I met an old timer in Giglios tackle shop in Sea Bright the other day. He was talking to me about jigging at the Highlands Bridge and catching fish regularly 30 pounds and up. Those must have been some good times.

[surfrob]

Had a couple of honey holes that disappeared with the new bridge. As the old song goes: Where have all the bridge fishers gone, long time passing...

[finchaser]

they fish from the top off step ladders now

[buckethead]

From what I remember, meny of the fish weighed in at the old Giglio's used to come from the Highlands, Seabright, and Oceanic bridges at night. Those were the halcyon days of fishing.

[finchaser]

Still do at Giglios

[fishinmission78]

Some friends have been doing well at night in the park, so decided to join them. Fished 8 to midnight. The activity came in spurts, but it was pretty decent. I got 14 my buddy got a few more. We each kept one 36 -39 inches, released the rest. Yellow SPs