Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Department of Transportation

Environmental Documents

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is taking additional steps to reinforce the existing bridges over Hilliards, West and East Thorofares as part of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project, to safeguard the travelling public in the event of a future storm event. To accomplish this, additional scour protection is proposed at each Thorofare Bridge. Also proposed along the corridor are additional improvements to accommodate public access to the waterfront including minor revisions to the parking facilities on Bonnet Island and replacement of a deteriorated bulkhead on the northeast corner of the existing Manahawkin Bay Bridge. These public access improvements are part of the project's overall design to improve bicycle and pedestrian access along the corridor and to make better facilities available to the public for recreational activities.

NJDOT has prepared an Addendum to the Environmental Assessment (EA), Thorofare Bridges Scour Countermeasures and Public Waterfront Access Improvements (pdf 22.9m) describing the proposed activities.

A CD-ROM version of the EA Addendum can be obtained by making a written request to:

New Jersey Department of Transportation
PO Box 600
1035 Parkway Avenue
Trenton , NJ 08625
Attention: Bruce Hawkinson, Environmental Project Manager

The EA Addendum is also available for review through April 7, 2016 at:

  • Ocean County Library System Headquarters, Toms River, New Jersey;
  • Municipal Clerks Office of Stafford Township and Ship Bottom Borough.
Public Comments
The public is encouraged to submit comments on the Addendum to the Environmental Assessment to Bruce Hawkinson no later than April 7, 2016, either by e-mail or regular mail at the address above. Written comments will also be accepted at the Public Information Center.

A Public Information Center was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Ship Bottom Borough Hall, 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom from 2 - 4 pm, and at Ocean County Stafford Township Library, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin from 6 - 8 pm. There was an opportunity to view information on the design plans and NJDOT staff was on hand to answer any questions. Property owners of rental units were advised that tenants are also invited and encouraged to participate.

2011 Environmental Assessment
NJDOT, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), had prepared a Revised Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project in 2011:

Environmental permits
The following permits have been secured for the project:



Last updated date: November 9, 2020 3:16 PM