Route 72 To Close Friday For Paving, Traffic Shift: NJDOT

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Drivers can expect further Route 72 closures on Friday as the Manahawkin Bay Bridges project continues, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said.

Closures are set for both the daytime and overnight near Marsha Drive. Per NJDOT:

Route 72 Daytime Lane Closures
Beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, April 5, Route 72 is scheduled to have a single lane closed in both directions to begin paving in preparation for a traffic shift. Motorists are advised to slow down, use caution and expect delays.

Route 72 Overnight Closure and Detour
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, April 5 until 6 a.m. Saturday, April 6, Route 72 is scheduled to be closed in both directions to restripe the road and reposition construction barrier to create a work zone in the right shoulder in both directions on Route 72 near Marsha Drive in Stafford. In addition, paving work will be completed overnight.

By Saturday morning, the center work zone in both directions that has a single lane of traffic on either side will be removed, according to NJDOT. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on the left side of the road with a work zone on the right during this stage, which will mill and pave this portion of the roadway. Additionally, access from Route 72 eastbound to Morris Drive and from Route 72 westbound to Marsha Drive will be maintained during construction.

This stage is expected to remain in place until fall 2024, NJDOT officials said.

The following detours will be in place beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, April 5:

• Motorists traveling on Route 72 eastbound will be directed to take the Mill Creek Road South/Beach Haven West exit
• Follow Mill Creek Road
• Turn left onto Jonathan Drive, which becomes Jennifer Lane
• Turn left onto Morris Boulevard
• Turn right onto Route 72 eastbound

• Motorists traveling on Route 72 westbound will be directed to take the Bay Avenue exit immediately after the bridge
• Turn left onto East Bay Avenue/CR 50
• Turn left onto Mill Creek Road
• Turn right onto Route 72 westbound

This work is part of Contract 1A & 1B, of the Route 72/Manahawkin Bay Bridge project. This final construction contract is designed to improve safety and reduce congestion in Stafford at the Marsha Drive/Route 72 intersection and in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island. In Stafford, Marsha Drive will be widened to provide double left turn lanes onto Route 72, and a third lane will be added on Route 72 in both directions near the intersection.

In Ship Bottom, approximately 3,000 feet of Route 72 (locally known as 8th and 9th Streets) and three cross streets (Barnegat Avenue, Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard) will be widened. Two-way traffic will be restored along Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. Five traffic signals will be reconstructed, and a new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of 8th Street and Long Beach Boulevard.

In addition, a new storm drainage system and new outfalls will be installed in an effort to reduce frequent flooding along Route 72 and these intersections. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. For more information go to the NJDOT project website.