Road Work Beginning On Route 70, Route 9 In Ocean, Monmouth

Drivers should expect delays and lane closures on parts of Route 9 and Route 70 in multiple towns beginning Tuesday as the state Department of Transportation begins a paving project.

There will be both daytime and overnight lane closures during the pavement preservation project, which is expected to be completed by the fall, the NJDOT said.

Pavement preservation involves applying a sealant to improve the pavement surface to make sure it "remains in a state of good repair," the NJDOT said. It extends the useful life of the road "while providing a smoother and safer drive for motorists," state officials said.

The project is expected to address 13 miles of pavement on Route 70 in Manchester, Lakehurst, Toms River, Lakewood, Brick, Point Pleasant, Brielle and Wall, along with 8 miles of pavement on Route 9 in Lacey, Berkeley, Pine Beach, and Beachwood.

The phases of the project are as follows:

Daytime Shoulder Closures for Construction Sign Installation

From Tuesday, May 12 through Friday, May 15, there will be shoulder closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the sign installation.

Overnight Lane Closures, Part 1

After the signs are installed, overnight lane closures will be in place Mondays through Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. while crews remove existing line striping and raised pavement markings.

Overnight Lane Closures, Part 2

The pavement preservation sealant work starts in mid-June with Route 70. There will again be overnight lane closures Mondays through Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day.

When the Route 70 work is completed, the pavement preservation will begin on Route 9, approximately in early August, the NJDOT said.

There will be alternating traffic during the lane closures. Drivers should slow down, use caution and expect delays when driving through the work zone.

Here are the areas that will be affected:

ROUTE 70

• From Whiting New Egypt Road/CR 539/Lacey Road/CR 530 in Manchester to Vermont Avenue/Route 36 in Lakewood
• From Herbertsville Road/CR 549S in Brick to Riverview Drive between Brielle and Wall

ROUTE 9

• From Lakeside Drive to Bay Way in Lacey
• From Sycamore Drive in Berkeley to Windward Avenue/Larboard Avenue in Beachwood