NJDOT to replace Route 9 bridge deck
over Route 70 in Toms River

(Trenton) - Commissioner Jim Simpson today announced that the New Jersey Department of Transportation will begin the replacement of the Route 9 overpass superstructure over Route 70 in Toms River, Ocean County. The $1.8 million state-funded project will replace the existing, deteriorated structure with a new pre-cast concrete bridge deck.

Initial construction will begin the week of May 24, with the contractor, Konkus Corporation, establishing a staging area and installing safety equipment in the vicinity of the bridge.

On or about June 7, NJDOT will begin temporary, single-lane closures on Route 9 Mondays through Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day and on Route 70 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day for repair work to the existing bridge abutments and piers as well as utility relocations. The overnight single-lane closures will be necessary for a few weeks.

The new bridge deck will be manufactured off site and installed by the contractor over two weekend periods this fall. One direction of Route 9 will be fully closed to traffic and detoured each weekend for the bridge deck installation. The use of pre-cast concrete bridge components will enable NJDOT to significantly shorten the construction schedule and minimize impacts to traffic on both highways. NJDOT will provide notification to the public in advance of the planned Route 9 closures.

In addition to the replacement of the existing bridge deck, NJDOT will resurface the bridge approaches on Route 9 in both directions. Construction is scheduled for completion in November 2010.

NJDOT will employ variable message signs to notify motorists of the upcoming bridge closure. Real time travel and construction information is available online at www.511nj.org