Route 166 overnight lane closure required for
project in Toms River

Traffic shift necessary as safety improvements advance

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a traffic shift on Route 166, north of Route 37 as the Route 166 intersection safety improvements project advances in Toms River.

Beginning at 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 29 until 6 a.m. the next day, NJDOT’s contractor, New Prince Concrete, is scheduled to close lanes on Route 166 between Route 37 and Old Freehold Road to move barriers, restripe the roadway and reopen James Street. Currently, there is a work zone in the northbound lanes. After the shift is in place, there will be a center work zone with a single outer lane in each direction allowing drainage system improvements to be expedited, and the construction of a center median.

• Access to residential properties will be maintained at all times.
• Access to commercial properties will be maintained during normal business hours.

The $11.7 million state-funded Route 166 intersection safety improvements project will upgrade the intersection of Route 166 with Route 37 by installing a raised median barrier between opposing traffic, improve the roadway geometry, make traffic signal improvements between Highland Parkway and Old Freehold Road, and widen the roadway by constructing a new through lane on Route 166 northbound and southbound. In addition, the project will make drainage improvements, construct a retaining wall along the west side of Route 166 adjacent to the Dover Mall redevelopment and install additional sign structures. The project began in March 2016, was suspended for several months in 2017 due to the TTF shutdown, and is expected to be completed this winter.

Variable message signs are in place throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the safety improvements project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road or ramp closures.

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 and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.