Route 37 ramp to Route 166 opening and Route 166 traffic shift onto southbound side of roadway this weekend in Toms River

Two other ramps to close for reconstruction to expedite the project

Beginning at 10:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 27 until 6 a.m. Saturday, April 28, NJDOT’s contractor, New Prince Concrete, is scheduled to open the ramp from Route 37 westbound to Route 166 southbound. The contractor also will shift the two-way traffic on Route 166 onto the southbound side of the roadway. The traffic shift will allow for the contractor to complete curb and signal work and begin reconstruction of the northbound side of the roadway.

Two ramps to be reconstructed

In order to expedite the project so any work requiring detours is completed before the summer vacation season, the contractor is scheduled to close the ramp from Route 166 northbound to Route 37 eastbound this weekend to reconstruct the ramp. Motorists will instead be allowed to make a right turn onto Route 37 eastbound at the intersection. The contractor also will close the ramp from Route 37 eastbound to Route 166 northbound this weekend to reconstruct the ramp. Work on both ramps is expected to be completed by Memorial Day. The following detour will be in place:

Route 37 eastbound to Route 166 northbound detour

• Motorists on Route 37 eastbound will be directed onto Route 9/Garden State Parkway southbound
• Take Exit 81 and keep right to merge onto Lakehurst Road
• Turn left on Highland Parkway and continue to Route 166/Main Street northbound

The $11.7 million state-funded Route 166 intersection safety improvements project will upgrade the intersection of Route 166 with Route 37 by installing a raised median barrier between opposing traffic, improve the roadway geometry, make traffic signal improvements between Highland Parkway and Old Freehold Road, and widen the roadway by constructing a new through lane on Route 166 northbound and southbound. In addition, the project will make drainage improvements, construct a retaining wall along the west side of Route 166 adjacent to the Dover Mall redevelopment and install additional sign structures. The project, which began in March 2016, was suspended for several months in 2017 due to the TTF shutdown, and is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

Variable message signs and detour signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the safety improvements project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road or ramp closures

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 real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info and on the NJDOT Facebook page.