NJDOT to improve Route 37 over
Barnegat Bay in eastern Ocean County

Traffic pattern changes are planned throughout construction

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced that traffic shifts are planned in connection with a project to resurface and improve two miles of Route 37 over the Barnegat Bay in Toms River Township and the boroughs of Seaside Heights and Seaside Park in Ocean County.

“NJDOT is committed to maintaining our transportation network in a state of good repair,” said Commissioner James Simpson. “Rehabilitating this crucial shore traffic route will pay dividends for tourists and Ocean County residents alike.”

On or about October 8, the right lane of Route 37 eastbound will be closed to traffic for reconstruction. The westbound right lane is currently closed for ongoing bridge painting work. Towards the end of October, NJDOT will close two lanes of Route 37 in both directions, Mondays through Thursdays, with one lane remaining closed over the weekends for approximately two months. One lane of Route 37 will be maintained in each direction at all times. Notification will be provided in advance of the planned single and double-lane closures.

NJDOT’s contractor, H&G Contractors, began surface course reconstruction of the Barnegat Bay bridges (Thomas A. Mathis Bridge and J. Stanley Tunney Bridge) last week. This initial stage of construction is requiring some single lane closures in either direction during daytime hours. The acceleration lane from Route 35 southbound and Hamilton Avenue to Route 37 westbound in Seaside Heights has been closed at this time.

The $3.3 million project, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes bridge deck patching and new asphalt overlay on the Route 37 bridges over the Barnegat Bay from just east of Douglas Street in Toms River to Route 35 in Seaside. The resurfaced highway will provide a safer and smoother ride.

An average of 52,000 vehicles travel this stretch of Route 37 on a daily basis in the summer months. Route 37 carries three lanes of traffic in each direction within the project limits.

NJDOT designed this project using its in-house design team. The project is anticipated to be completed next June 2011.

Variable message signs have been installed to inform motorists regarding any changes in traffic patterns. Motorists are also encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.