Get ready to be patient behind the wheel this summer if you're vacationing along the beautiful Jersey Shore. While the state will bring to a stop most of the ongoing roadwork along Route 35 between Bay Head and Berkeley Township this summer, residents and tourists alike will still find themselves getting nowhere fast through certain sections that are being repaired following Hurricane Sandy.
Folks along the Jersey Shore will be impacted by a 2.5 mile stretch of roadwork between Brick and Toms River. However, people can go around the construction spot by heading inland, going along Hooper Avenue and Fischer Blvd. to avoid the congestion, but it's definitely the long way around.
That particular 2.5-mile stretch of road will see traffic limited to one lane in either direction. All other road work on Route 35, which is the main roadway for tourists traveling to and along the shore, will halt no later than June 13 and no work will be done over the Memorial Day weekend.
Either way, the expected holdups could have an impact on tourism and beachgoers in Ocean County along the Jersey Shore.
"No matter where you’re going in the world, you want the nicest, best place and the best deal you can get. But if you know that there was a major construction (project) or something with the location ... you may reconsider," Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies told the Star-Ledger. "You may divert your attention for a year and go somewhere else. Is it going to have an impact? Absolutely, it’s going to have an impact."
In addition, the state plans to continue working on side streets in some areas including Toms River, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. But no side street work will be done in Bay Head or Mantoloking.
State officials have said they hope to have all road construction completed by next summer. Delays have been caused by having to deal with the location of underground utility pipes.
Every summer, thousands of visitors come down to the Jersey Shore for vacations and quality time on the beach.
Posted by Shawn Clayton on
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