Federally funded Route 72 Bridges Project continues

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Crews continue work underneath the bridge. 

While there doesn’t seem to be much happening on the $3.5 million Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges Project, work is continuing below the surface throughout the summer. Concrete beam repairs, painting and the cleaning of bridge bearings as well as earth grading near the bulkheads is being conducted underneath the original bridge.

The contract for the rehabilitation of that bridge is projected to be advertised by the end of the summer with construction beginning in the fall, according to Kevin Israel, a New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesman. Since the bridges project is federally funded, it is not affected by the current statewide shutdown, he noted.

Although locals have spotted pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the original bridge, Israel told The SandPaper that the bridge is closed to all public traffic, including walkers and bikers. A shuttle service is being offered to transport pedestrians and bicyclists across the bridge. The shuttle schedule can be viewed here.

Construction of a new parking lot on the north side of Bonnet Island (referred to as Cedar Bonnet Island in the project) is anticipated to resume in the coming weeks. All major earthwork in this area is complete. Landscaping will begin soon and continue through the fall.

“We want to remind the public that (Bonnet Island) is an active construction site and closed until further notice,” said Israel.

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.