Lane Closures, Detours Planned In Ship Bottom As Route 72 Project Nears End

SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — Drivers in Ship Bottom will see a series of overnight closures, detours and daytime lane shifts next week as final paving begins on Route 72, Barnegat Avenue and Central Avenue, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The work is part of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project in Ocean County and comes as the project reaches completion.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, April 27 until 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, Route 72 eastbound, also known as 9th Street, is scheduled to be closed and detoured between Shore Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. The U-turn near Hotel LBI from 8th Street to 9th Street is also scheduled to be closed during that time for paving work.

Subscribe

Under the posted detour, motorists coming off the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge will be directed to turn right onto Shore Avenue, then left onto 11th Street, and left onto Long Beach Boulevard. From 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, and again Wednesday, April 29, 9th Street between Shore Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, along with Barnegat Avenue and Central Avenue between 9th Street and 11th Street, will have lane closures in preparation for paving work. At least one lane will remain open on each street while that work takes place.

Additional lane closures for final paving are scheduled from 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 until 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, and again during the same overnight hours on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30. NJDOT reported that 9th Street, Barnegat Avenue and Central Avenue are scheduled to have lane closures, with at least one lane expected to remain open. If road closures are necessary, motorists are advised to follow the signed detour.

NJDOT said the final construction contract for the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project was designed to improve safety and reduce congestion in Stafford at the Marsha Drive and Route 72 intersection and in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island. In Stafford, Marsha Drive was widened to provide double left turn lanes onto Route 72, and a third lane was added on Route 72 in both directions near the intersection.

In Ship Bottom, about 3,000 feet of Route 72, locally known as 8th and 9th streets, and three cross streets were widened. Two-way traffic was restored along Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, five traffic signals were reconstructed, and a new traffic signal was installed at 8th Street and Long Beach Boulevard. A new storm drainage system and new outfalls also were installed in an effort to reduce frequent flooding along Route 72 and at those intersections.

The timing of the work is subject to change because of weather or other factors. Motorists can check 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.