Route 72 Thorofare Bridges reduced to
one lane in each direction
Traffic will be shifted to permit demolition and reconstruction of south side thorofare bridges
(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the closure next week of one lane in each direction on the two thorofare bridges that connect Bonnet Island to Cedar Bonnet Island and Long Beach Island as the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project advances.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, October 10, and continuing until 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 11, NJDOT's contractor, Schiavone Construction Co., will close one lane in each direction and shift traffic to the newly reconstructed north side of both the East and West Thorofare Bridges. The single lane pattern in each direction will start just west of the West Thorofare Bridge and conclude just east of the East Thorofare Bridge on Long Beach Island.
This new traffic pattern will permit the removal and replacement of the existing bridge deck joints on the south side of the bridges and allow for a new bridge deck pavement overlay, improving the riding surface for motorists. This new traffic pattern is expected to be in effect until mid-winter, when traffic will be shifted to the south side allowing the deck overlay to be installed on the north side. The single lane in each direction configuration will be in place until spring 2017.
NJDOT will continue to run a daily shuttle service taking pedestrian commuters over the newly constructed Causeway Bridge until the existing Causeway Bridge is rehabilitated and its bridge sidewalk is reopened and accessible to pedestrians by summer 2020.
Work on the $350 million Route 72/Manahawkin Bay Bridge project was started in 2013 and is expected to continue through 2020. The 3-mile long causeway links Stafford on the mainland with Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.
As part of the project, a new bridge has been constructed parallel to the existing one over Manahawkin Bay, providing the safety of a redundant route on or off the island. The new bridge is 2,400 feet long with a vertical clearance of 55 feet over Manahawkin Bay. It currently has two lanes in each direction while the original Causeway Bridge is being rehabilitated. Ultimately, it will function as the bridge for eastbound traffic once the project is completed. For more information NJDOT developed a project-specific website.
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 and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.
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