Visitors to Seaside Heights this weekend and during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend events may have to seek alternative routes, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The NJDOT said the construction project on the Mathis Bridge will cause longer than normal traffic delays.
“In order to minimize congestion and help traffic flow as smoothly as possible for this weekend’s Polar Bear Plunge, and for St. Patrick’s Day festivities in March, NJDOT is working with local officials and event organizers to direct traffic to use multiple routes to get to Seaside Heights while Route 37 eastbound/Mathis Bridge is under construction for the winter/spring season until May 12th,” the NJ DOT said. “During construction there is one eastbound travel lane and two westbound travel lanes available on the Tunney Bridge. Although one eastbound lane is open, motorists choosing to use Route 37 eastbound to get to special events in Seaside Heights can expect congestion and delays. Visitors should allow for more travel time in getting to their destination.”
No parade floats or trailers over 11′ will be permitted on the bridge eastbound into Seaside Heights.
The $74 million federally-funded Mathis Bridge project will replace the existing bridge deck, which is 65 years old, make safety improvements to the barrier and railings, and repair and replace mechanical and electrical components that operate the moveable lift span.
Construction is anticipated to take place for three seasons and is expected to be completed by the summer 2018. The construction cycle requiring a full closure of the Mathis Bridge will be limited to November 1 to April 30 each year. During each of these construction cycles, summer traffic from approximately May 15 to September 15 will not be affected and all three current lanes on each bridge will be open to traffic.