Motorists flock to the railing of the Oceanic Bridge when car traffic is stopped for boat traffic. Cars have also been stopping when they’re not supposed to, county officials say.
Monmouth County is warning motorists not to park on the Oceanic Bridge in the wake of numerous instances of drivers stopping on the span to dolphin-watch.
“Public interest in viewing the dolphins in the Navesink River is creating a public safety issue,” John Tobia, director of the countys Department of Public Works Engineering says in a press release dated Tuesday. “Recently, motorists seeking to get closer to the dolphins have begun parking on the Oceanic Bridge. This creates a problem for other motorists and a safety issue for pedestrians and bicyclists attempting to cross the bridge.
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Enforcement of rules and ordinances on county bridges are carried out by local law enforcement agencies. Middletown and Rumson police departments will ticket any vehicle parked on the Oceanic Bridge.
“This effort will make sure that safe passage on the bridge continues for motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Tobia. “The county appreciates the enforcement efforts of officers in Middletown and Rumson.”
Since the dolphins arrived in the area in late June, they have drawn crowds along the banks and in the waters of the Navesink and Upper Shrewsbury Rivers. Boaters are required to keep a 50 foot distance from the dolphins. Enforcement of rules on the water is the responsibility of the NJ State Police.
The Oceanic Bridge is one of four movable bridges owned, operated and maintained by the county.
The press release makes no mention of the fact that pedestrians have also been flocking to the western side of the bridge even though there’s no sidewalk on that side. We’re not clear if laws prohibit walking and standing on that side, but redbankgreen has seen bridge operators asking pedestrians to cross to the eastern side, which has a sidewalk.
Since July 7, the dolphins have been feeding just west of the bridge, which is the only public place from which they can be easily seen.
