The New Jersey Department of Transportation is proposing extra work on the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project to help safeguard the many people who travel to and from Long Beach Island and the mainland via the corridor.
Route 72 is the only highway access to Long Beach Island. During peak summer weekends, as many as 150,000 people travel along the corridor to LBI, according to DOT information.
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| Photo via NJDOT The proposed work will be outlined during two public information meetings. |
In case of a major storm, additional scour protection is proposed at each of the existing Hilliard, West and East Thorofare bridges, which are structurally deficient due to use and aging. This will help protect against hurricanes or large coastal storms that could create erosion around the bridge foundation and compromise the structural dependability of the thoroughfare bridges.
The DOT is also proposing additional improvements to accommodate public access to the waterfront, including location changes of two parking facilities. The layout of previously approved pedestrian and bicycle access improvements will be adjusted with the shift. The DOT also plans to replace an existing bulkhead adjacent to one of the parking lots, on the northeast corner of the existing bay bridge, that is deteriorating due to recent storm damage.
No alteration to proposed traffic patterns, especially during peak summer months, are anticipated as a result of the proposed action. Access to all residences and businesses will be maintained during construction. Possible temporary and localized impacts to residences and businesses located immediately adjacent to the project may occur due to construction noise, temporary construction access requirements and traffic pattern changes.
Two public meetings on the proposed plans will be led by DOT representatives on Wednesday, March 23. The first session will be held at Ship Bottom borough hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Another session will take place at the Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library in Manahawkin between 6 and 8 p.m.
An addendum to the environmental assessment detailing the proposed plans can be reviewed at www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/roads/rte72manahawkinbaybridges/pdf/eaaddendum.pdf. The public is encouraged to submit comments on the addendum to Bruce Hawkinson no later than April 7. Comments can be emailed to bruce.hawkinson@dot.nj.gov or sent in via regular mail. Written comments will also be accepted at the meetings.
The overall bridge project includes the construction of a new bridge parallel to and south of the bay bridge as well as rehabilitation of the existing bay bridge and thoroughfares. Sidewalks and bicycle accommodations are being implemented on the bridge with connections to communities within the project area. Construction of the new bridge began May 3, 2013 and is expected to be completed this spring. Traffic will be shifted to the new bridge in stages in the coming weeks.
Improvements to the Route 72 and Marsha Drive intersection in Stafford to reduce seasonal traffic delays as well as to the intersection along Eighth and Ninth streets in Ship Bottom to enhance traffic flow and alleviate flooding are also being executed.
The project also allows for the construction of five new parking lots along the corridor, improvements to the bulkhead at the manmade island for recreational purposes and restoration of a portion of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on Cedar Bonnet Island as a passive recreational facility.
The entire project is anticipated to be completed in 2020.
For more information about the project, visit the DOT website at state.nj.us/transportation/.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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