NJDOT announces upcoming traffic pattern change to Massachusetts Avenue in Toms River

(Trenton)– Commissioner Kris Kolluri today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) will shift traffic on Massachusetts Avenue at Route 70 in Toms River, Ocean County. The traffic shift is part of NJDOT’s $5 million intersection improvement project.

On Tuesday night, May 13, NJDOT will shift Massachusetts Avenue traffic onto the newly constructed eastbound and westbound lanes in order to begin construction on the center portion of the roadway. The shift is expected to take place overnight from 9 p.m. on Friday night to 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on Massachusetts Avenue. NJDOT expects traffic impacts on Massachusetts Avenue during peak hour periods due to the elimination of the left turn lanes. All work is weather permitting.

The traffic pattern change is the result of safety and traffic flow improvement project at the intersection of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue. NJDOT is reconstructing and widening Route 70 between milepost 48.75 and milepost 49.55 and approximately 600 feet of Massachusetts Avenue on each side of Route 70. Route 70 will be widened to include two travel lanes and a shoulder in each direction within the project limits. The new intersection will feature two through-lanes with a channelized right lane and an exclusive left-turn lane on both the eastbound and westbound sides of Route 70. Massachusetts Avenue will consist of two through-lanes and one exclusive left-turn lane in each direction. The two existing traffic signals will be modified to conform to the redesigned intersection.

NJDOT began the project in May 2007 and is scheduled to complete construction in November 2008. Upcoming work on the project includes resurfacing and traffic signal work at the intersection of Lake Ridge Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue. Traffic is being maintained in all directions during construction.

NJDOT installed Variable Message Signs on Route 70 to inform motorists of any change in traffic patterns during construction. Real time travel and construction information is available online at https://nj-dot.nj.gov/transportation/commuter/