Route 70 closing between Manchester and Pemberton for road work

A heads up for drivers tonight as the NJDOT has announced that Route 70 will be reduced to one lane, with an alternating traffic pattern overnight, beginning on a seven-mile stretch of the road from Manchester to Pemberton to implement a traffic shift.

Work will begin at 8:00 p.m., tonight and wrap up around 6:00 a.m. Friday.

NJDOT’s Contractor, A.E. Stone, will temporarily close one lane and shoulder to alternate traffic on Route 70 to implement a traffic shift.

The closure will begin at the intersection of Route 70 eastbound and Whiting New Egypt Road/CR539 and move west toward North Branch Road in Pemberton.

By Friday morning, two lanes of traffic will be open on Route 70 in both directions.

The temporary lane closures will allow for road restriping to shift traffic towards the westbound shoulder and widen the eastbound shoulder.

DOT officials say that the new configuration will remain in place for about three months.

The new traffic pattern is set to increase the Route 70 eastbound shoulder width allowing for asphalt milling and pavement reclamation process.

Daytime work will continue from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with occasional overnight work as necessary using an alternating traffic pattern from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Access to properties will be maintained at all times during construction.

The $12.2 million improvement project includes a full depth pavement reclamation and rubblization, milling and paving, guiderail upgrades, and construction of ADA compliant curbs and ramps, and drainage improvements on approximately seven miles of roadway, as well as intersection work at Whiting New Egypt Road/CR539.

Variable message signboards and lane closure signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of planned closures.

NJDOT officials say they will provide notification before any lane or ramp closures.

More From The Jersey Shore: