Full Notification

The quoted undsection is a notification regarding lane closures that will directly impact your commute to and from Long Beach Island, please read carefully, this is sent as a courtesy. 

“(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (kNJDOT) officials today announced a temporary single lane closure on Route 72 for three weeks to stabilize slopes near the West Thorofare Bridge as the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project advances.

Beginning at 7 a.m., Monday, June 4 NJDOT's contractor, Schiavone Construction, is scheduled to close a single lane on Route 72 to install steel sheeting to stabilize the slopes around the west abutment to the West Thorofare Bridge between Cedar Bonnet Island and Bonnet Island in Stafford. 

Working hours will be from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. During these days, the lane closure will remain in place 24 hours a day. All lanes will be open in both directions by 9 p.m. Thursday night for weekend traffic.

Construction will begin with a single lane closure on Route 72 eastbound at 7 a.m. Monday, June 4 with work expected to take four days. Upon completion of work in the eastbound direction, a single lane of Route 72 westbound will be closed Monday through Thursday with work taking an expected eight days. 

The work requires the driving of steel sheet piles, which is extremely loud. As part of NJDOT’s Commitment to Communities, the Department worked closely with local officials to establish a schedule that will allow the work to get done in the shortest amount of time and in a way to minimize the impact to traffic and to residents.

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 construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.”

As a courtesy to the Township residents I feel it necessary to advise you that the NJDOT Commissioner approved the project after consulting with Stafford. I have submitted my concerns and oppose the lane closures citing safety reasons. Long Beach Township is the largest municipality on the Island and this traffic pattern will cause delays. 

This information is sent to make you aware and informed of the problems that can be associated with closing lanes on the only access bridge to Long Beach Island. 

In the event there are complaints regarding traffic congestion due to the lane closures please contact the below listed authorities. I ask that you do not call Long Beach Township Dispatch to lodge a complaint or voice your frustration over this. If there is an emergency please call 911.  Long Beach Township was advised of the lane closures on Friday June 1st via Ship Bottom’s Clerk’s Office, not the NJDOT.  

Administrative Offices State New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner​ Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti​ 609.530.3536

Stafford Township Mayor John Spodofora​​ 609 597-1000 

​​​Respectfully Submitted

Chief Anthony Deely