Group fights to save historic Glimmer Glass Bridge

A New Jersey group is trying to save a historic bridge that connects Brielle to Manasquan.
The Glimmer Glass Bridge was built around 1883 and has connected the two towns for 135 years. The drawbridge was installed in 1938.
“It's the only bridge of its type left in the world today, so it's worth saving our history,” says Fran Drew, of Save the Historic Glimmer Glass Bridge.
The bridge’s unique counterweight design originated in 19th century France. It features a drawbridge lifted by cables connected to a counterweight on an elliptical track.
The bridge got its name because the body of water it crosses has always been referred to as the ‘Glimmer Glass.’
County officials say that it is time to consider the future of the bridge.
“The bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and we're evaluating whether or not it's able to be completely rehabilitated or if it needs to be replaced,” says Monmouth County engineer Joseph Ettore.
The Glimmer Glass Bridge is on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places because of the counterweight technology.
The Save the Historic Glimmer Glass Bridge group says that rehabilitating the bridge will be cheaper in the long run.
“It will cost another $6 million, according to our engineering reports that we commissioned, to complete the repair of the bridge and give it a new, long life,” says Jack Drew.
The group says that building a new bridge will cost about $20 million.