Stops added to bicycle and pedestrian shuttle bus during bridge project

Photo by Ryan Morrill
The shuttle is operating while construction
continues on the east and west thorofares.

The shuttle service that began giving a lift earlier this month to individuals who travel to and from Long Beach Island by either walking or riding a bicycle over the Causeway Bridge has been updated. Other stops were added to tie in with New Jersey Transit’s bus stop on Route 9, and a stop was added just before the first Causeway bridge near Morris Boulevard in case anyone living near Beach Haven West needs to commute to the Island.

The shuttle, operated by Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, costs $1,200 a day and is being funded as part of the $350 million Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project. The service will end once the new pedestrian and bike access is completed and opened for use, which will occur sometime this winter.

The north sidewalk on the east and west thorofare bridges has been closed for demolition and reconstruction. Schiavone Construction Co. crewmembers began to shift traffic to the south side of the bridges in early October. The new traffic pattern includes a single lane in each direction between the two thorofare bridges. The configuration will remain until the spring.

Night work, which concluded last Friday, continued for about three weeks, with crews working until about midnight on the demolition of the northern side of the bridges.

“The contractor chose to add an extra shift at night to advance the project before the onset of winter and less predictable weather,” said Stephen Schapiro, communications director of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

“The installation of a new median barrier is ongoing. The contractor began with the construction of the foundation, which consists of steel dowels. After Thanksgiving, the work to erect the median barrier will continue and be more noticeable to motorists,” he added.

To view the full schedule of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Shuttle Bus, visit state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/roads/rte72manahawkinbaybridges/pdf/shuttlebus.pdf.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.