Route 9 Railroad Crossing Closure Possible This Weekend

Brick Township residents who travel Route 9 through Lakewood and cross the railroad tracks near Central Avenue expect to be detoured around the area, possibly beginning as soon as Friday, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Route 9 is scheduled to be closed to traffic in both directions at the Conrail Southern railroad grade crossing next to Lake Manetta, between John Street and Central Avenue (Route 528), the DOT said in a news release.

The closure is due to repairs and safety improvements that need to be completed, the DOT said. The existing crossing will be replaced with a new concrete crossing and new asphalt approaches to provide a smoother and safer crossing, the release said.

“This project is included within NJDOT’s railroad grade-crossing safety program which repairs, upgrades, or removes approximately 30 crossings each year, statewide,” it said.

The closure is anticipated to begin at 7 a.m. Friday and continue through 7 p.m. Sunday, weather permitting.

Motorists will be detoured as follows:

Route 9 northbound

Route 9 northbound traffic will be directed to Oak Street, to New Hampshire Avenue, to Route 88, and then back onto Route 9 northbound.

Route 9 southbound

Route 9 southbound traffic will be directed to Central Avenue (Route 528) which becomes New Egypt Road, to Cross Street, and then back to Route 9 southbound.

The traffic detour will be coordinated with the local police. If work is completed earlier, the roadway will be reopened accordingly.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors, the DOT said. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.