Route 18 southbound resurfacing project to start
in Monmouth County

“This project will benefit thousands of motorists and demonstrates the Christie Administration’s commitment to funding state-of-good-repair projects throughout New Jersey,” NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson said. “Our FY 13 budget proposes $311 million in pavement resurfacing and reconstruction investments to help keep New Jersey motorists safe.”

NJDOT’s contractor, Earle Asphalt Company, Inc., is scheduled to start preliminary construction activities including site mobilization and sign installation this week, requiring shoulder closures.

The $4 million project will mill and resurface Route 18 southbound with a new surface course of asphalt pavement from milepost 11.25 through Ocean and Neptune townships to milepost 5.14, at the southern terminus of the highway in Wall. Additionally, the outside shoulders will be repaved in both directions between mileposts 11.25 and 13.5 in Ocean and Eatontown Borough.

Approximately 2.1 miles of new median crossover protection guiderail will be installed throughout the project limits where necessary.

Work requiring single-lane closures will be performed at night in order to minimize traffic impacts on Route 18, an important north-south expressway that is heavily utilized by motorists headed to shore destinations.

• NJDOT will maintain all travel lanes on Route 18 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, though traffic shifts may be necessary.
• During the summer months, from May 15 through September 15, construction restrictions will be in place prohibiting any weekend lane closures.
• Southbound ramp repaving work will require periodic nightly detours.

Route 18 southbound carries approximately 21,000 vehicles per day through this busy stretch of highway. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the summer 2012.

Dynamic message signs will notify motorists of upcoming traffic pattern changes. 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 for real-time travel information.