Route 35 Construction Work Nearing Completion On Barnegat Peninsula

by Patricia A. Miller

Much to the relief of residents and visitors alike, the state Department of Transportation announced today that all travel lanes from Bay Head to South Seaside Park will be available during the summer.

The 12.5 mile reconstruction project to repair the massive damage from Superstorm Sandy is nearing completion, said DOT Commissioner Jamie Fox.

“Completely reconstructing 12.5 miles of highway and building an improved drainage system following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy was a massive undertaking,” Fox said. “Getting these lanes open before the busy summer season will provide a real benefit to the businesses, residents, and vacationers – not just this summer, but for many years to come.”

Route 35 - the backbone of the Barnegat Peninsula - is being completely rebuilt. The damage from Sandy was worse than expected. DOT officials say the project will protect properties and the infrastructure for a generation.

The $341 million project is divided into three geographic sections and began during the fall of 2013. Work has been done with an expedited schedule to complete the project as soon as possible to prevent another storm from damaging the already compromised drainage system and highway, the DOT said.

Contracts 1 and 3 between Berkeley and Toms River, and Mantoloking through Bay Head, as well as most of the work in Contract 2 between Lavallette and Brick has been completed and all travel lanes are open this summer. Limited work on shoulders, sidewalks, curbs, and landscaping will continue to ensure the project’s completion this fall.

Mileposts 0-4 in Berkeley, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, and Toms River
In this section, Route 35 is generally a divided highway, providing two travel lanes in each direction from the entrance of Island Beach State Park, extending through Berkeley, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, and Toms River. This section includes the interchange with Route 37.

Roadway work in this section was completed in June.
There is some sidewalk and landscaping work remaining, which may require temporary lane closures
Five new pump stations are nearing completion and undergoing final testing,


Mileposts 4-9 in Lavallette, Toms River, and Brick
In this section, Route 35 is generally a divided highway, providing two travel lanes in each direction.

The majority of the work in this section is complete.
All side street work is complete.
No work on Route 35 northbound in the Lavallette Business District between Brown Avenue and Bond Avenue will take place between Memorial Day and Labor Day
Work to reconstruct the right shoulder of Route 35 northbound will be broken up into three-block sections in Lavallette between Trenton Avenue and Ortley Avenue with work taking place in alternating sections. This work is expected to be complete by the end of July.
In the fall, the remaining work between Brown Avenue and Bond Avenue will be completed.
Final paving for the entire five miles will be completed in the fall.

Mileposts 9-12.5 in Mantoloking and Bay Head
In this section, Route 35 consists of a single roadway offering just one travel lane in each direction with shoulders.

Final paving was completed in April.
All drainage work is complete, including the construction and testing of four pump stations.
There is some minor sidewalk and landscaping work that will continue, but it will not affect traffic.
Vehicle detection will be added to signalized intersections that will require short time traffic shifts.

Variable message signs will be used to notify motorists of all traffic pattern changes. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.

The DOT has a hotline telephone number, 732-230-7356, and email address, restore.nj35@dot.state.nj.us for residents as work progresses.