Plan Ahead For Upcoming Seaside Heights Weekend Events, DOT Says

Motorists who don't want to sit in traffic this weekend on the way to Seaside Heights should use other routes besides the Thomas A. Mathis eastbound bridge into the borough, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation says.

The eastbound Mathis Bridge is still under construction until May 12, spokesman Kevin Israel said.

During construction there is one eastbound travel lane and two westbound travel lanes available on the westbound Tunney Bridge. Although one eastbound lane is open, motorists who choose to use the Mathis Bridge can expect congestion and delays, he said.

"Visitors should allow for more travel time in getting to their destination," he said.

The Seaside Heights annual Polar Bear Plunge is on tap for this weekend. The St. Patrick's Day Parade is coming up in March.

No vehicles, trailers or parade floats exceeding 11 feet will be permitted on the bridge heading eastbound into Seaside Heights.

The best alternate routes to get to the events are:way to get to the events are:

From the North

• Take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 98 for Route 34 South.
• Follow Route 34 South, which will become Route 35 South.
• Continue on Route 35 South over the Manasquan River Bridge and proceed for several miles.
• Route 35 South will become a two-lane roadway. Follow signs toward Seaside Heights.

From the South

• Take the Garden State Parkway north to exit 90 (Brick Township).
• Turn right onto Chambersbridge Road.
• Continue through seven traffic lights to the intersection of Mantoloking Road/CR 528.
• Turn left and follow Mantoloking Road to end.
• Turn right onto Route 35 South and proceed for several miles.
• Route 35 South will become a two-lane roadway. Follow signs toward Seaside Heights.

From the West via Interstate 195

• Head east on I-195 to Exit 35A for Route 34 South (Brielle).
• Follow Route 34 South, which will become Route 35 South.
• Continue on Route 35 South over the Manasquan River Bridge and proceed for several miles.
• Route 35 South will become a two-lane roadway. Follow signs toward Seaside Heights.

From Toms River via Hooper Avenue

• Take Hooper Avenue North.
• Turn right onto Drum Point Road and continue for 1.2 miles.
• Turn left onto Adamston Road and continue for about 1 mile.
• Turn right onto Mantoloking Road/CR 528 to end.

• Turn right onto Route 35 South and proceed for several miles.
• Route 35 South will become a two-lane roadway. Follow signs toward Seaside Heights.

From Manchester via Route 70

• Take Route 70 toward Brick Township.
• Turn right onto Cedar Bridge Avenue, which will become Mantoloking Road (CR 528).
• Follow Mantoloking Road to end.
• Turn right onto Route 35 South and proceed for several miles.
• Route 35 South will become a two-lane roadway. Follow signs toward Seaside Heights.

The $74 million federally-funded Mathis Bridge project will replace the existing bridge deck, which is 65 years old, make safety improvements to the barrier and railings, and repair and replace mechanical and electrical components that operate the moveable lift span.

Construction is anticipated to take place for three seasons and is expected to be completed by the summer 2018. The construction cycle requiring a full closure of the Mathis Bridge will be limited to November 1 to April 30 each year. During each of these construction cycles, summer traffic from approximately May 15 to September 15 will not be affected and all three current lanes on each bridge will be open to traffic.

Community Outreach

NJDOT created a project-specific web site that contains a wealth of information about the project, which can be found on the Department’s web site by going to www.NJCommuter.com and selecting Route 37 Mathis Bridge under the Construction Updates bullet. The Department is carefully coordinating the project with local officials to minimize the effect to residents and businesses.

The Department has a Project Community Outreach Team that can be reached through the project hotline telephone number, 732-230-7356, email, DOT-Route37Mathis.outreach@dot.nj.gov, or project website. Anyone who has questions, concerns, or suggestions is encouraged to contact the Project Community Outreach Team as work progresses. To stay informed as the project progresses, send your email to the Community Outreach Team to sign up for project alert emails.

NJDOT will be using Variable Message Signs to provide advance notification to motorists of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. Follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info and visit www.511nj.org for travel advisories.

Image: Patch file photo.