Route 72 East Lanes To Reopen In Manahawkin

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Route 72 eastbound lanes will reopen Thursday as the Route 72 East Road project progresses, according to officials. Beginning Thursday morning, Route 72 will have three lanes and a shoulder available on both sides.

The shift will begin near the Garden State Parkway entrance onto Route 72 and continue through just past Doc Cramer Boulevard. At least one lane in each direction will get maintained overnight.

NJDOT's contractor, Earle Asphalt Co., will have alternating double lane closures in both directions from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

Final milling and paving for the project will begin Friday and continue overnight for the next few weeks. This will include both directions of Route 72 between the Garden State Parkway and Martin Truex Jr. Boulevard, side streets and ramps.

The $11.6 million federally-funded Route 72 East Road project made highway and signal intersection improvements to address congestion and safety concerns. Work included the addition of a 10-foot shoulder in each direction on Route 72 between the Garden State Parkway and the Stafford Square Shopping Center, median widening, new barrier curbs, plus new traffic signals and roadway improvements at two Route 72 intersections — Roosevelt Boulevard and Doc Cramer Boulevard.

A new culvert and a revised jug handle circling a water basin from Route 72 westbound to a relocated East Road were constructed and moved approximately 200 feet east from its previous location. In addition, two new storm water basins were constructed further down on Route 72 westbound, and West Road was relocated east from its current location between McDonalds and Mr. Tire to a new location between Element Restaurant and Starboard Plaza. Washington Road, located parallel to Route 72 now ends at the new West Road.

NJDOT expects to finish construction in late summer. Precise timing depends on weather and other factors.

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