New Jersey DOT Announces Route 37 Bridge Restrictions Prior to Polar Bear Plunge

Posted by
1 min read
February 18, 2016

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.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss