Barrier Island Access Plan Coming Together
Governor's approval expected, details emerge
Hurricane Sandy Breach at Mantoloking Bridge & Herbert Street, Mantoloking.
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Details are emerging on the repopulation of the Brick section of the barrier island.
Pending the approval of Gov. Chris Christie, residents of Brick Township, Toms River Township and Seaside Heights – with the exception of Ortley Beach – will be able to repopulate on a full-time basis. On that same date, Route 35 is expected to reopened to the public.
New details on that plan began to emerge as the date moves closer.
While motorists will be able to cross the Mantoloking Bridge without the road blocks that have been in place since Superstorm Sandy hit, they will only be able to travel south on the state highway, said Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist.
Mantoloking Borough is not part of the repopulation plan that includes the three other towns, so while motorists must pass through a portion of Mantoloking to access Brick and points south, travel north of Herbert Street – known as Mantoloking Road on the Brick side of the bridge – will be limited to residents only.
"The devastation there is so bad, and the road cannot handle that kind of traffic," Bergquist said, of Mantoloking. "It would be putting all those people traveling through there at risk, and then we also have to worry about the security of those people's possessions since the houses there are ripped apart."
The Mantoloking Office of Emergency Management said New Jersey state troopers will enforce the new northbound checkpoint at the intersection of Herbert Street and Route 35.
Mantoloking's OEM also announced Wednesday that while motorists will be able to pass through a portion of the borough going southbound, only residents will be allowed on side streets.
Brick officials are still mapping out their final plans for repopulation and access to the island.
"We are in the process of modifying our emergency declarations to accommodate the free flow of traffic on Route 35, while still protecting our residents and their property," said Bergquist.
Barring any setbacks this week, Bergquist said, Jan. 7 is still the expected repopulation date.
anthony esposito
7:49 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Dan good article. I don't believe the town of mantolokings claims that the road is unstable They have been driving heavy equipment over it for weeks. Lets see how much of it is replaced before they reopen it
shorefriend
10:51 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
They have to travel back and forth through Ortley also, are they blocking the public from those side streets as well? I would like to think that my full time Ortley Beach home, with my possessions in them, are equally as important as Mantoloking’s?
Enough is enough I want TR to start recognizing that I and (we) the residents 2nd homeowners and united as taxpayers count!!
Daniel Nee
11:07 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
shorefriend - This article was focused on the Brick end of things, but Mayor Kelaher did mention when the repopulation plan was signed that there would probably be a checkpoint (or something similar) at Ortley Beach and there would not be public access to those streets.
Leonard Schillaci
11:22 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Residents...from a public adjuster perspective in filing your claim you should take this approach..The more detail documentation the better! Keep logs notes, take lots of photos and of the neighbors house too, letters and all news and or notices from all parties involved..in short build your case..just in case it gets legal. Unfortunately this will take time and most likely a lot of back and fourth with your carrier but the upside (if any) is there are adjustments in your favor most of the time after the chaos and state of limbo. ...If you have any other ?'s or concerns feel free to contact me..Leonard 704 491 2821
they can do that
12:01 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
It is a downer living in mantoloking. Hey, there is a street called downer ave! I guess heavy equipment can travel on rt 35 in mantoloking. That town doesn't want the public to use their beach. You can only park on the street for 2 hours. I bet ortley beach will be rebuilt before rt 35 in mantoloking will be open north of the bridge to bay head. Anyone wanna take me up on that bet?
Ri-Brickulous!
1:45 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
While I don't agree with most of their policies, mainly letting their beaches dwindle down to nothing while putting the entire bayfront at risk. I think the two hour parking limit lets more people access the beach on busy weekends. Cars are constantly coming and going rather than just sitting there all day and their beach bag fees are the cheapest around It's a good strategy to deal with limited parking. Public bathrooms and showers would be nice though.
Daniel Nee
1:52 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
No lifeguards, however. ;)
Booradley
4:00 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I say let the outer islands to back to the crabs and sea turtles. Tax payers shouldn't have to be spending millions every year to move sand around and rebuild what mother nature has torn down. Take your losses and move inland.
Joseph Fekete
4:51 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Come ON ! They've got to re-open Rt. 35 . NORTH of the Mantoloking Bridge ALSO ! The extra traffic now on Rt. 88, and 70, is intolerable !
Tom
11:43 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joseph. Sorry the traffic is an inconvenience to you. I'm glad you were clearly unaffected by the storm. Booradley - you're a dope. If you own a home, and I suspect you don't, I hope you never suffer catastrophic loss. And if something were to happen to your home/government subsidized rental,, I hope some dopey hack doesn't tell you to "take your losses" elsewhere. Perhaps it's my own naiveity, but I'm still shocked at some people's lack of compassion and empathy. Well done, gentlemen.
Amy Cavanaugh
8:01 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Love that comment clearly he was unaffected