This part of Monmouth County has a lot to offer: Sandy Hook National Park, Hartshorne Woods, State Historic Site Twin Lights, fantastic oneof a-kind restaurants, friendly residents, walk-ability and easy transportation to Manhattan.
We had a wonderful old drawbridge that went right through the center of the Borough of Highlands and into Sea Bright and Sandy Hook. Because of aging and countless repair projects, the Department of Transportation (DOT) began replacing the old, dilapidated drawbridge with a new fixed-span bridge. The new Highlands-Sea Bright bridge construction is now well under way. I recently learned that the DOT is planning to put 10-foot green cantilever overhead signs on the new bridge and in the town. These generic, industrial signs threaten tourism in both Highlands and Sea Bright. The signs are out of scale and out of character for the surrounding area and like what you would find on the Garden State Parkway or the New Jersey Turnpike.
The view shed from Historic Twin Lights will be significantly impacted by the size, placement and overhead nature of these new signs. It changes the entire perception of the community for tourists and residents alike. The signs are way overboard for this area, and unnecessary. The bridge will have a speed limit of 35 mph. Route 36 is not an expressway, and these signs will deliver that impression to all those who visit.
There is a petition online to solicit popular opinion. If you have any time, please take a look at some of the comments and sign: http://www.thepetitionsite. com/1/keep-the-communitycharm. There are over 750 signatures so far.
My husband and I have also suggested alternatives and created a presentation that we believe would satisfy all stakeholders. Mayor Anna C. Little of Highlands and the Highlands Borough Council are aware of these alternatives and have passed a resolution opposing the cantilever signs. Sea Bright quickly followed in support. Please write to Sen. Sean Kean ([email protected]), Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (Lt.governor@ gov.state.nj.us) and NJ DOT Commissioner James Simpson ([email protected]) to let them know your thoughts on this subject.
Please help us to convince the DOT to deliver signage options that are more in line with our community. Please help us to keep our community charm.
Kate Kibler
Highlands