DOT: Find Other Ways To Get To Seaside Heights For Upcoming Events

Motorists heading to upcoming events in Seaside Heights until early May should look for other alternatives besides the Route 37 eastbound Thomas A. Mathis bridge over Barnegat Bay, a state Department of Transportation spokesman said.

The DOT is working with local officials and event organizers to avoid congestion and manage traffic flow to Seaside Heights by suggesting alternate routes, especially this weekend with the Seaside Heights Polar Bear Plunge and the St. Patrick’s Day parade in March, said spokesman Steven Schapiro.

The $74 million federally-funded Mathis Bridge project will replace the existing bridge deck, which is 65 years old. Also planned are safety improvements to the barrier and railings, and repairs and replacement of mechanical and electrical components that operate the moveable lift span. The work will continue until May 12, the DOT said.

There is one eastbound travel lane and two westbound travel lanes on the adjacent J. Stanley Tunney Bridge. Motorists who decide to use the eastbound lane can expect congestion and delays. Allow for more travel time, Schapiro said.

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

The best way to get to the events are:

From the Garden State Parkway

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.
  
  

Construction on the Mathis Bridge project 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.

For more informatjon on the project, to go www.NJCommuter.com and selectRoute 37 Mathis Bridge under the Construction Updates bullet.

The DOT has a Project Community Outreach Team that can be reached through the project hotline telephone number,732-230-7356, e-mail, DOT-Route37Mathis.outreach@dot.nj.gov, or project website.