Editing New Jersey Route 13 (section)

==== Collapse and demands for new bridge (1962&ndash;1964) ====
[[File:Lovelandtown bridge collapse over the Point Pleasant Canal in 1962.jpg|left|thumb|The damaged sections of the old Lovelandtown Bridge]]
By 1960, the usefulness of the Lovelandtown Bridge came into question. The [[New Jersey State Highway Department]] felt that the bridge was structurally safe and able to support up to 20&nbsp;tons (18.14&nbsp;tonnes). However, local officials felt the bridge was unsafe, especially for vehicles such as [[school bus]]es. Additionally, the bridge, which was supported by wooden pilings, was starting to fail and erode. The expected failure occurred during the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962]] on March&nbsp;5, when the storm and tides on the Intracostal Waterway wiped out a section of the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Erred in Verdict on Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45891622/lovelandtown-bridge-march-9-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 9, 1962 |page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> A temporary structure to replace the bridge opened in May&nbsp;1962.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Loveland Town Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45893830/nj-13-bridge-may-25-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=May 25, 1962 |page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In the meantime, proposals were made for a permanent replacement structure. Early proposals noted the bridge would take about three months to rebuild.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shore Still Taking Damage Inventory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23525547/app-march-11-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=March 11, 1962 |page=4|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> [[Point Pleasant, New Jersey|Point Pleasant]] Police Chief William Beecroft, who voiced concerns about the integrity of the bridge in 1960 and 1962, proposed a new tunnel across the Intracoastal Waterway to replace the [[New Jersey Route 88|Route&nbsp;88]] and Route&nbsp;13 bridges. Beecroft speculated that the new tunnel would be cheaper to build in the long run and make things easier for emergency vehicles who would not have to deal with drawbridges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Point Pleasant Asks Tunnel Under Canal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892192/route-13-tunnel-august-11-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=August 11, 1962 |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The State Highway Department considered a new tunnel for Route&nbsp;13, but quickly discarded the idea by October due to excessive costs, though Beecroft would bring it up again as an option if there were a hearing.<ref name="oct1962">{{cite news |title=Await Word From State on Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45893525/nj-13-bridge-october-1-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=October 1, 1962 |page=50|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>

In November&nbsp;1962, the State Highway Department made plans to build a new {{convert|45|ft|m}} high fixed structure over the waterway. However, this plan was opposed by multiple agencies and individuals because yachts would be unable to use the waterway with a fixed structure. One of these was [[New Jersey State Assembly|Assemblyman]] William T. Hiering, a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] from [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean County]] who asked the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] to hold a public hearing on such a bridge; this hearing would occur on December&nbsp;27.<ref>{{cite news |title=Span Hearing Dec. 27 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892227/nj-13-bridge-december-20-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Coast Star |date=December 20, 1962 |location=[[Manasquan, New Jersey]] |page=3|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hiering Asks for Hearing for Bridge Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45892812/nj-13-november-1-1962/ |access-date=February 29, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=November 1, 1962 |page=25|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> However, the State Highway Department also supported an option for a {{convert|30|ft|m}} high drawbridge that would accommodate yacht users and only have to be opened once in a while. Such a plan would cost about $2&nbsp;million.<ref name="oct1962" />

By February&nbsp;1964, the State Highway Department switched its plan to a [[vertical-lift bridge]]. This new bridge would be able to open to as high as {{convert|100|ft|m}} in the air and allow room for yachts to go through.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46578297/lovelandtown-february-28-1964/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=February 28, 1964 |page=7|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The delay in action by the Highway Department was being slammed by the borough of Point Pleasant by December&nbsp;1964. Dr. Ronald V. Crescenzo, one of the members of the borough council wanted a bus ban over the replaced structure until a new one could be built. The borough also wanted to be absolved of any responsibility and liability in case of another structural failure. They did, however, support a new vertical-lift bridge with the {{convert|25|ft|m}} high lift that could raise to {{convert|70|ft|m}} in the air.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lovelandtown Bridge Delay is Attacked |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46578510/lovelandtown-delays-december-2-1964/ |access-date=March 12, 2020 |work=The Asbury Park Evening Press |date=December 2, 1964 |page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>