Thomas A. Mathis and J. Stanley Tunney Bridges
Encyclopedia
The Thomas A. Mathis Bridge and J. Stanley Tunney Bridge are a pair of bridges that span Barnegat Bay
in Ocean County
, New Jersey
, connecting Route 37 in Toms River
with Pelican Island
and communities along the Jersey Shore
on the Barnegat Peninsula
. The bridges pass through Toms River Township
and a small piece of Berkeley Township
, before ending at Route 35 in Seaside Heights
.
The Thomas A. Mathis Bridge was completed April 9, 1950 to replace a narrow wooden bridge that had served as the only connection between the mainland and the shore. It is a bascule bridge
that allows ship traffic to pass under the bridge when it is raised.
The J. Stanley Tunney Bridge was completed March 29, 1970 to carry westbound traffic, while the Mathis bridge was dedicated for vehicles traveling eastbound. The Tunney Bridge is a high level girder bridge that was designed to allow tall ships to pass under it without requiring a bridge opening. Although both bridges have three lanes, those on the Tunney Bridge are wider. Because Route 37 is one of a few links to the barrier island beaches, the bridge and the entire highway are routinely jammed with both local and tourist traffic throughout the summer months.
Barnegat Bay
Barnegat Bay is a small brackish arm of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 30 miles long, along the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. It is a long barrier peninsula, as well as by the north end of Long Beach Island...
in Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile . There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km²...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, connecting Route 37 in Toms River
Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
with Pelican Island
Pelican Island (New Jersey)
Pelican Island is an island in the Barnegat Bay wholly located in Ocean County, New Jersey. It is accessible from Toms River and Seaside Heights via the Tunney and Mathis Bridges on New Jersey Route 37. It is part of Toms River and Berkeley Township. The island was featured in the opening credits...
and communities along the Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
on the Barnegat Peninsula
Barnegat Peninsula
The Barnegat Peninsula, also known as the Island Beach Peninsula and colloquially as "the barrier island", is a 20-mile long, narrow barrier peninsula located in Ocean County, New Jersey, that divides the Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a vacation destination and summer colony area and...
. The bridges pass through Toms River Township
Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
and a small piece of Berkeley Township
Berkeley Township, New Jersey
Berkeley Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 41,255....
, before ending at Route 35 in Seaside Heights
Seaside Heights, New Jersey
Seaside Heights is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,887. Seaside Heights is situated on the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean...
.
The Thomas A. Mathis Bridge was completed April 9, 1950 to replace a narrow wooden bridge that had served as the only connection between the mainland and the shore. It is a bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
that allows ship traffic to pass under the bridge when it is raised.
The J. Stanley Tunney Bridge was completed March 29, 1970 to carry westbound traffic, while the Mathis bridge was dedicated for vehicles traveling eastbound. The Tunney Bridge is a high level girder bridge that was designed to allow tall ships to pass under it without requiring a bridge opening. Although both bridges have three lanes, those on the Tunney Bridge are wider. Because Route 37 is one of a few links to the barrier island beaches, the bridge and the entire highway are routinely jammed with both local and tourist traffic throughout the summer months.