Motorists Should Expect Delays Due Route 9 Lane Closures At Route 72 Overpass

One northbound lane and one southbound lane on Route 9 near the Route 72 overpass are now closed due to a bridge deck replacement project, Stafford Township police said on their Facebook page.

Construction began at 9 a.m. this morning

"Due to the amount of construction in town, we will do our best to keep road closures and delays updated as best we can," police said.

The $3.5 million, federally-funded project is needed to replace the existing structurally-deficient bridge decks that carry Route 72 over Route 9.  The existing 8-inch thick deck slabs will be replaced with 9-inch thick cast-in-place concrete slabs, resulting in a slight raise in the roadway profile.

New bridge approach slabs will be added at all four approaches.  The construction contract also includes sandblasting and painting of the bridge superstructures.

Traffic management for this project is being closely coordinated with the ongoing work on the Manahawkin Bay Bridges project, about three miles to the east heading into Ship Bottom.  The DOT is hoping for a late spring 2014 date for the project.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2013/092613.shtm