Changes Coming Next Week For Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project

The two bridges that link Bonnet island to Cedar Bonnet Island and Long Beach Island will have one lane on each bridge closed starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, so the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project can proceed, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation said.

The contractor, Schiavone Construction Company, will close the lanes and shift traffic to the newly reconstructed north side of both the east and west bridges, said DOT spokesman Daniel Triana.

The 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, which will improve the riding surfaces.

The new traffic pattern will be in effect until mid-winter, when traffic will be shifted to the south side, so the deck overlay can be installed on the north side. The single lane in each direction will be in place until spring 2017.

The DOT will 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 project was started in 2013 and is expected to continue through 2020. The three -mile long causeway links Stafford Township on the mainland with Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.

A new bridge has been constructed parallel to the existing one over Manahawkin Bay. The new bridge will provide another way 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.

Patch file photo