Route 72 Bridge shuttle expected to be reinstated this week for pedestrians, bicyclists

Photo by Ryan Morrill
The lack of shoulders on the new span makes
biking or walking to and from LBI impossible.

While all traffic has been moved to the new span on the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge to allow for rehabilitation of the original structure, the narrow lanes without shoulders have made it impossible for pedestrians and bicyclists to also travel to and from Long Beach Island. To accommodate these individuals, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is anticipated to reinstate the free shuttle service this week. The shuttle schedule is “forthcoming,” said Kevin Israel, an NJDOT spokesman.

Operated by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association, the shuttle service was initially provided to pedestrians and bicyclists in November while the north sidewalk on the east and west thorofare bridges were closed for demolition and reconstruction. It was cancelled in February due to a decrease in ridership. The DOT said the commuters could walk through the closed portion of the bridge, which contractor Schiavone Construction Co. reopened a few weeks later.

The new span of the bridge is currently 5 feet lower than the original bridge, with a vertical clearance of 55 feet. When the rehabilitation of the original bridge is finished, it will be lowered to match the new structure, said Israel.

Most of the rehabilitation work this summer will occur underneath the bridge and consist of pile jacketing, pier cap repairs and scour protection. All work is projected to be finished by 2020. At that time, two lanes of eastbound traffic will be traveling on the newly built bridge and two lanes of westbound traffic will be traveling on the original, reconstructed bridge, Israel stated. The westbound bridge will have a 6-foot sidewalk with connections to communities and points of interest on the south side of the highway. Bicycle accommodations, including wider outside shoulders, will be integrated on both bridges, with 6-foot bike lanes on the trestle bridges.

Once traffic is in its final configuration, the speed limit, which was recently decreased to 45 mph due to the narrower lanes and lack of shoulders, will be returned to 55 mph, Israel noted.

The work on Bonnet Island is still underway and on schedule. All major earthwork is complete, and fencing is being installed for goose exclusion.

“The posts in the refuge will ultimately have a wire strung from them to deter geese from landing in the area and eating the new plants,” Israel explained.

The planting of wetland plants in designated wetland areas will continue through July. Once completed, upland planting, including trees and shrubs, will take place through the fall.

“NJDOT wants to remind the public that Cedar Bonnet Island (actually Bonnet Island) is still an active construction site and is closed until further notice,” Israel stressed.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.