Lane Shifts on Route 88 Bridge Coming Wednesday

On Wednesday morning, the state Department of Transportation's contractor, Agate Construction, is scheduled to reopen the right lane on Route 88 westbound, returning that side of the highway to the normal two-travel lane configuration. 

The original plan was to reopen that westbound, right lane on Monday. But weather forecasts of rain prompted the DOT to postpone that for two days.

Also on Wednesday, the right lane on Route 88 eastbound will then be closed, reducing that side of the highway to one lane over the bridge.

At the Route 88 eastbound intersection with Herbertsville Road/Beaver Dam Road the right lane will be temporarily converted to a right-turn-only lane and the left lane will handle through-traffic over the bridge.

This new traffic pattern is expected to remain in place for approximately two to three weeks.  The original traffic pattern is expected to be fully restored on Route 88 in April.

All work is weather-dependent. 

The DOT is repairing the mechanical and electrical systems on the Route 88 Bridge and installing new barrier gates.

The work is part of a $10 million contract that includes mechanical and electrical improvements to the Route 71/Main Street Bridge over Shark River that connects Belmar and Avon-By-The-Sea in Monmouth County.

The work at both locations is expected to be complete in May 2011.

The DOT provides emergency roadway information, construction schedule updates and real time traffic information and images at www.511nj.org.