Route 35 southbound travel lanes to be
shifted onto new permanent alignment in Eatontown
Milestone reached in ongoing
improvements to intersection with Route 36

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced a major, permanent traffic pattern change at the Route 35 intersection with Route 36 in Eatontown, Monmouth County.

On Friday night, December 9, NJDOT's contractor, DeFino Contracting Co., is scheduled to shift the Route 35 southbound travel lanes onto a new, permanent alignment through the intersection with Route 36. A new connector ramp from Route 36 eastbound to realigned Route 35 southbound will also be opened while the existing ramp will be closed and removed.

Route 35 northbound will remain in the current configuration while that side of the new roadway alignment is completed. Route 35 is being realigned to the west in both directions to create a more perpendicular intersection with Route 36.

The current traffic patterns on Route 36 will be maintained through the project limits, but a temporary detour will be in effect for Route 36 westbound motorists attempting to make the U-turn onto Route 36 eastbound.

• Passenger vehicles will be directed through the intersection to Wyckoff Road to Route 35 southbound and then use the left-turn lanes for Route 36 eastbound.
• Tractor trailers and commercial trucks will be directed through the intersection to Hope Road south to Industrial Way east to Route 35 northbound to Route 36 eastbound.

NJDOT began the $12.4 million project to improve safety and reduce congestion at the Route 35 and Route 36 intersection in April 2010. The project is realigning and widening the existing intersection to improve operational performance, reduce congestion and enhance safety. The reconfigured intersection will feature multiple new turn lanes, acceleration and deceleration lanes, traffic signal upgrades and new pedestrian safety improvements.

In the final stages of the project the contractor will shift Route 35 northbound to the new alignment, make improvements to the Route 36 westbound ramp to Route 35 northbound, construct a new loop ramp to connect Route 36 eastbound traffic to Route 35 northbound and complete final median, sidewalk and surface pavement work throughout the project limits. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2012.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.