Bay Bridges Project Resumes In Stafford Township

STAFFORD, NJ — The final stage of the Bay Bridges Project will begin Friday at 11 p.m., the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced.

The shoulder on Route 72 will be closed in both directions near the Marsha Drive intersection in Stafford Township.

Traffic on Marsha Drive also will be shifted about two feet to the right in both directions. This will allow the contractor to complete roadway restriping and begin widening the roadway.

The final construction contract for the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project is designed to improve safety and reduce congestion in Stafford Township at the Marsha Drive-Route 72 intersection and in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.

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, about 3,000 feet of Route 72—8th and 9th Streets—and three cross roads, including 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.

A new storm drainage system and outfalls will be installed to reduce frequent flooding along Route 72 and these intersections.

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