Road Closed Tuesday Before Becoming Two-Way On Long Beach Island

SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — Central Avenue will open to two-way traffic Tuesday after a day of closure, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said.

Beginning at 7 a.m. May 13, Central Avenue is scheduled to be closed for signal work and restriping, according to a NJDOT news release. Currently, Central Avenue is one-way southbound between 3rd Street and 11th Street and northbound traffic must turn right onto 11th Street. Once the striping is complete and the new traffic signal at 8th Street and Central Avenue is activated, Central Avenue will be opened to two-way traffic, which is expected to be complete by the end of the day, Tuesday, weather permitting.

The new configuration will feature two northbound lanes starting between 11th and 10th Streets through between 7th and 6th Streets, and two southbound lanes beginning between 6th and 7th Streets through between 10th and 11th Streets. No left turns will be allowed from Central Avenue northbound onto 8th Street or Central Avenue southbound onto 9th Street.

Final paving in both Stafford and Ship Bottom is expected to be done overnight in June. NJDOT will provide advanced notification before any roadway changes are made.

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.

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.