Somers Point Circle to be eliminated
Conversion to signalized intersection marks progress in Route 52 causeway project

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced today that the Somers Point Circle will be eliminated beginning on Monday, October 18 at 12:01 a.m. with a new temporary signalized intersection in place by 8 a.m.

The circle accommodates motorists on Mays Landing Road, MacArthur Boulevard (Route 52), and Shore Road as well as motorists heading to and from Ocean City via the Route 52 causeway.

The new intersection will accommodate all existing traffic movements. Traffic signals and dedicated turn lanes at the intersection and its approaches have been designed to improve the flow of traffic, especially at peak travel times.

• Mays Landing Road motorists will have three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes at the temporary signalized intersection

• MacArthur Boulevard (Route 52) motorists will have two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane at the intersection

• Shore Road motorists will have four lanes southbound and one lane northbound at the intersection

• Route 52 causeway motorists will have two eastbound lanes and four westbound lanes at the intersection

There will be a number of adjustments and alignment changes at the signalized intersection in upcoming construction stages. During the switch from a circle to temporary signalized intersection, traffic will be controlled by local police.

The causeway is used by an average of 40,000 motorists daily in the busy summer season.

The $251 million second phase, or Contract B, is replacing the two remaining lift bridges at each end of the causeway with fixed-span bridges, eliminating the Somers Point Circle and improving 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.

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.

Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org