Route 72 Bridge Deck Replacement Work Slated For This Fall

The state Department of Transportation will begin a $3.5 million project to replace the Route 72 bridge decks in both directions over all lanes of Route 9 in Manahawkin this fall.

The DOT has provided the following information about the project:

Both decks - located at milepost 23.2 - are structurally deficient, have deteriorated over time and need to be repaired.

Lucas Construction Group has already started preliminary construction activity around the work zone, including including sign installation.

The first phase of the project calls for constructing temporary paved crossover lanes in the highway median and will not impact Route 72, the DOT said.

The 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. 

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

The bridge deck replacement work will be performed in stages, with one travel lane open on Route 72 in each direction at all times.

The deck replacement work will take place in the off-season to limit the impacts on Route 72. All four travel lanes will be maintained on Route 72 during the important summer season between April 15 and September 15.   

The temporary crossovers are being built in the median to enable the diversion of live traffic off of each bridge during reconstruction.

Project details are as follows:

• Beginning this fall the Route 72 eastbound bridge will be closed with one eastbound lane shifted over the median onto the westbound bridge

• Route 72 westbound will be configured to carry two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane, with opposing traffic separated by barrier curb

• After the eastbound deck is complete, the traffic crossover will be reversed and the westbound bridge will be closed while the new deck is constructed.   

• During this stage Route 72 eastbound will carry two eastbound lanes and one westbound travel lane, with opposing traffic separated by barrier curb

• Each stage of construction will require the closure of select on/off ramps at the interchange. 

• Motorists will be detoured via the existing ramps through the interchange

• A temporary traffic signal will be installed to help handle traffic from Route 9 onto Route 72 eastbound

The DOT will use multiple dynamic message signs on Route 72 to alert motorists to all upcoming traffic impacts.  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. 

A public information center was held in April to provide interested residents with the opportunity to review exhibits of the project, ask questions and discuss issues with representatives.  The project will be completed by late spring in 2014.

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/2013/071113.shtm