Department of Transportation

Construction Staging

mathis bridge photo

Construction will be staged to maintain existing traffic capacity during the peak summer season, with three travel lanes in both the westbound and eastbound directions from about May 1 through October 31 annually from 2015 to 2018. The construction season will be limited to November 1 to April 30 each year.

During each construction season, the Mathis Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic. All traffic will be shifted to the westbound Tunney Bridge. Two lanes will be maintained in the westbound direction and one lane in the eastbound direction on the Tunney Bridge into and from Toms River to Seaside Heights, from west of Fischer Boulevard to east of Catalina Avenue. Temporary crossovers will also be constructed at either end to shift eastbound traffic to/from the Tunney Bridge. The existing access to the local businesses and the lane along the southern side of Route 37 eastbound in Toms River will be maintained during construction. Additionally the Douglass Street jug handle for left turns and through movements adjacent to the bridge will be maintained during construction. During off-peak construction seasons a minor detour, only for the right turn movement from the jug handle to eastbound traffic, is anticipated. A new traffic signal at the Douglass Street jug handle will be included in the final stage of construction.

The United States Coast Guard has allowed for the bascule span to remain in the down position between December 1 and April 17 in 2015/2016, December 1 and April 21 in 2016/2017 and December 1 and March 30 in 2017/2018. During this restricted period, boats not requiring a bridge opening will still be allowed to pass through.

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NJDOT offers a "real-time" view of traffic conditions either by dialing 511 or visiting the 511NJ Traveler Information web site, a user-friendly way for commuters to learn where incidents, accidents, congestion and construction are affecting traffic before they leave their office or home.



Last updated date: October 28, 2020 9:02 AM