In November 1962, the State Highway Department made plans to build a new high fixed structure over the waterway. However, this plan was opposed by multiple agencies and individuals because of the fact that yachts would be unable to use the waterway with a fixed structure. One of these was Assemblyman William T. Hiering, a Republican from 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 27. However, the State Highway Department also supported an option for a high drawbridge that would accommodate yacht users and only have to be opened once in a while. Such a plan would cost about $2 million.