Closures, Detours In Store As Route 72 Work Nears Completion

SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — Drivers can expect lane closures and detours Tuesday as work on the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project nears completion, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

From 7 a.m. until 3:30 pm. Tuesday, April 29, the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and 8th Street is scheduled to have temporary lane closures to reposition new traffic signal mast arms and to restripe the roadway, NJDOT said in a news release.

The new traffic signals will be activated in a flashing test mode, which will continue for approximately one week. In addition, 8th Street westbound traffic will be detoured during this time. The following detour will be in place:

8th Street westbound Detour:

• Motorists on 8th Street westbound will be directed to turn right onto Long Beach Boulevard
• Turn left onto 5th Street
• Turn left onto Central Avenue
• Turn right onto 8th Street

• A dedicated left turn only lane onto 8th Street westbound. The traffic signal will include a left turn only phase
• A center lane that traffic may turn left or go straight
• A right lane that traffic may go straight or turn right onto 8th Street eastbound

• A dedicated right lane that becomes a ramp onto 8th Street westbound
• A center lane that traffic must go straight
• A left lane that traffic may go straight or turn left onto 8th Street eastbound

This final construction contract for the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project is designed to improve safety and reduce congestion in Stafford at the Marsha Drive/Route 72 intersection and in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.

In Stafford, Marsha Drive will be widened to provide double left turn lanes onto Route 72, and a third lane will be added on Route 72 in both directions near the intersection.

In Ship Bottom, approximately 3,000 feet of Route 72 (locally known as 8th and 9th Streets) and three cross roads (Barnegat Avenue, Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard) will be widened. Two-way traffic will be restored along Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. Five traffic signals will be reconstructed, and a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of 8th Street and Long Beach Boulevard.

In addition, a new storm drainage system and new outfalls will be installed in an effort to reduce frequent flooding along Route 72 and these intersections. For more information NJDOT developed a project-specific website.