Manahawkin Bay Bridge Replacement (NJ 72)

[SteveG1988]

http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/studies/rte72manahawkinbaybridges/

Looks like it will remain a high level girder span, but with twin bridges instead of one. Possibly shifting traffic onto the first of the two spans tempoarialy (in the video it is two lanes with a wide shoulder) then building the new one in its place.

[BrianP]

Christie Administration announces start of construction of Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2013/052313.shtm

The initial $90 million contract will construct a new bridge parallel to the existing one over Manahawkin Bay, providing the safety of a redundant route on or off the island in the event that one of the bridges needs to be closed.

When construction of the new span is completed in 2016, the existing Bay Bridge, which is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, will be closed to traffic for rehabilitation. Upon completion of the rehabilitation work, it will serve as the bridge for westbound traffic.

[jeffandnicole]

This design is consistent with Christie Administration objectives to build in strength or redundancy to better withstand future storms.  The existing causeway sustained relatively minor damage during Super Storm Sandy, but storm damage is a concern especially because it provides the only way for motor vehicles to enter or exit Long Beach Island.

Personally, this is the biggest problem with the island.  Of NJ's barrier islands, it's one of the longest.  Most barrier islands have at least 3 entry/exit points - generally to/from the west, north & south.  LBI only has the one, Rt. 72, from the west.

(As an aside, the Philly Inquirer ran a report last year of one of NJ's barrier islands has no directly land access at all, which is south of LBI & North of Brigantine.  It did have access at one point - I think I recall reading a train line accessed the island around the 1900's - but after that for various reasons development never occured on the island.  The storms over the past few years knocked down the few remaining electric poles from that defunt train line.)

[SteveG1988]

It seems that NJ is revitalizing shore roads/bridges this decade, First the rebuild of the parkway traffic lights, now the manahawkin bay bridge, and soon the great egg harbor bridge

[NJRoadfan]

Don't forget the NJ-52 causeway into Ocean City. These projects tend to come in waves. In the late 80s-early-90s NJ-147 into North Wildwood was rebuilt along with NJ-152 into Longport.

[SteveG1988]

Don't forget the NJ-52 causeway into Ocean City. These projects tend to come in waves. In the late 80s-early-90s NJ-147 into North Wildwood was rebuilt along with NJ-152 into Longport.

I forgot about that, then again i never go to ocean city.

What other projects are to come for the shore this decade

[roadman65]

Don't forget the NJ-52 causeway into Ocean City. These projects tend to come in waves. In the late 80s-early-90s NJ-147 into North Wildwood was rebuilt along with NJ-152 into Longport.

I forgot about that, then again i never go to ocean city.

What other projects are to come for the shore this decade

The 30 to 63 widening.