NJDOT announces Route 52 early morning traffic pattern changes

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that early morning traffic pattern changes are scheduled this week on Route 52 as the contractor begins to place pre-cast beams for the new fixed span bridge closest to Ocean City. The Route 52 causeway replacement project, currently in the second phase of construction, provides a vital link between Somers Point and Ocean City.

Beginning Tuesday morning, July 20, at 2 a.m., NJDOT will close the southbound Causeway and shift all traffic onto the northbound Causeway, maintaining one lane in each direction. Route 52 southbound will be shifted back onto the southbound Causeway and returned to two lanes in each direction by 8 a.m. This traffic pattern shift will be repeated Wednesday morning, July 21, Thursday morning, July 22, Friday morning, July 23 and if necessary, Monday morning, July 26 and Tuesday morning, July 27.

The closures are necessary as the trucks carrying the pre-cast beams require access to the southbound Causeway where cranes will set the beams for the new bridge.

The $251 million second phase, or Contract B, began construction in September 2009 and will replace the two remaining lift bridges at each end of the Causeway, eliminate the Somers Point Circle and improve MacArthur Boulevard in Somers Point. NJDOT also will provide a new visitor’s center, multi-use sidewalks for bicyclists and pedestrians and several fishing piers as part of the project. Approximately $70 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds are supporting the project.

NJDOT planned the project in a manner that minimally impacts traffic. No detours are planned during construction. The Causeway is used by an average of 40,000 motorists daily in the busy summer season. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

The initial, $145 million phase of construction, Contract A, began in October 2006 and was completed in summer 2009.

Variable message signs are notifying motorists of the summer season traffic pattern. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org