Route 35, Mantoloking Bridge to Reopen Today

Starting Monday, the public will once again be able to drive over the Mantoloking Bridge and on Route 35.

The state of emergency that barred public travel over the bridge and on the state highway will be amended as of 7 a.m., meaning travel on the barrier island – which has been restricted to limited visits by residents and authorized individuals – will be allowed for the first time since Oct. 29 when Superstorm Sandy rolled ashore.

Residents will also be able to allowed to live in their homes on a full-time basis.

The repopulation plan, which was jointly signed by the mayors of Brick, Toms River and Seaside Heights, received approval from Gov. Chris Christie's office on Friday afternoon. Residents in all of those towns, with the exception of the Ortley Beach section of Toms River, may repopulate.

In Brick, the repopulation plan comes with several restrictions, including a 25 m.p.h. speed limit as well as a nightly curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Side streets as well as the oceanfront will be off-limits to the public.

Brick Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist said the curfew covers pedestrians only, and Route 35 will be open as it normally is.

Travel will be possible from Herbert Street in Mantoloking through Seaside Heights. There was no word when Route 35 would reopen north of Herbert Street through Mantoloking and Bay Head.