Politics & Government

Route 71 Repaving To Begin

Lane closures, altered traffic patterns through May and picking up again in September

Drivers who use Route 71 should prepare themselves for delays and headaches as the state Department of Transportations begins to resurface about 12 miles of the pockmarked road.

The DOT announced Wednesday a $9.2 million project to pave about 12 miles of deteriorated highway in both directions beginning from Sea Girt Avenue in Sea Girt to Ocean Grove, just south of Stockton Avenue. Construction on the 5.8-mile stretch is set to begin within days, according to a DOT statement.

Another portion of the state highway, a 6.2-mile stretch beginning just north of Darlington Road in Deal through Ocean Township, Long Branch, West Long Branch and Oceanport to Route 35 in Eatontown, also is part of the project, the statement says.

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One lane will be closed during daytime hours until May 15, when construction will halt for the summer season, picking up again after Sept. 15, according to the statement.

“Keeping all lanes of Route 71 open during the busy summer months will ensure that this project does not negatively impact motorists or businesses during the important tourist season,” Transportation Commissioner James Simpson said in a release.

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Paving will be conducted at night, with altered traffic patterns taking place between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The project is expected to be completed in late spring 2013, the statement says.

The DOT has contracted with Stavola Contracting Co., of Tinton Falls, to complete the work, according to the release.


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