Seaside Bridge Construction Begins November 1st

The Mathis Bridge connecting Toms River to Seaside will be undergoing construction beginning November 1st and projected to last until 2018.

Traffic will be diverted from the east-bound Mathis Bridge to the west-bound Tunney Bridge, using a series of crossovers.

Long term lane closures will be limited to November 1 to April 30 each year. Summer traffic, from approximately May 15 to September 15, will not be impacted and all three current lanes on each bridge will be open to traffic.

From November through April each year, one lane eastbound and two lanes westbound are to be maintained on the Tunney Bridge. The eastbound Mathis Bridge will be completely closed to vehicle traffic during these construction seasons.

NJDOT says the $79 million project will accomplish the following:

• The replacement of the deck in the moveable span, flanking spans and the approach spans.
• Safety improvements to the barrier and warning gates and railings.
• Substructure and structural steel repairs.
• Bearing replacement and some painting.
• Mechanical and electrical rehabilitation of the machinery and controls.