NJDOT announces weekend closures of Route 9
in Toms River

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced roadway closures of Route 9 and single lane closures on Route 70 over the next two weekends in Toms River, Ocean County as a project to replace the Route 9 bridge deck over Route 70 nears completion.

Route 9 northbound over Route 70 will be closed to traffic from 8 p.m. Friday, October 29 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 1. Southbound traffic will be restricted to a single lane during daytime hours, with the roadway completely closed to traffic in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 6 a.m. the following day.

The following weekend, Route 9 southbound over Route 70 will be closed to traffic from 8 p.m. Friday, November 5 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 8. Northbound traffic will be restricted to a single lane during daytime hours, with the roadway completely closed to traffic in both directions from 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 6 a.m. the following day.

During times of complete roadway closures, or full closures in one direction, the following detours will be in place:

• Route 9 northbound motorists will take Route 70 eastbound to New Hampshire Road (CR 623) to Route 70 westbound to Locust Street to Route 9.

• Route 9 southbound motorists will take Honey Locust Drive to Massachusetts Avenue (CR 637) to Route 70 eastbound to Route 9.

Route 70 will be reduced to one lane in each direction underneath the bridge both weekends from 8 p.m. Friday night to 6 a.m. Monday morning with traffic shifts as needed to accommodate the construction.

Full traffic stoppages on Route 9 and Route 70 will also be necessary for short durations overnight (15 minutes or less) when bridge elements are lifted into place.

NJDOT began construction work on the bridge abutments, as well as utility relocations, in late-May. In addition to replacing the bridge deck, NJDOT will resurface the bridge approaches on Route 9 in both directions. All work related closures are weather dependent and may be rescheduled if necessary. The $1.8 million federally funded project is scheduled for completion in November 2010.

The use of pre-cast concrete bridge components enables NJDOT to significantly shorten the construction schedule and limit major impacts to traffic on both highways.

NJDOT will employ variable message signs to notify motorists of the upcoming bridge closure. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org