Route 166 traffic to be shifted for barrier curb construction

Median barrier to separate newly completed lanes

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a traffic shift on Route 166 as the Route 166 intersection safety improvements project advances in Toms River.

Beginning at 10 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27, through 6 a.m. the next morning NJDOT’s contractor, New Prince Concrete, is scheduled to shift traffic towards the curb line on Route 166 in both directions. The traffic shift will allow for the contractor to construct a median barrier curb between the newly expanded northbound and southbound lanes on Route 166 between Route 37 and Highland Parkway. The traffic shift is expected to be in place until later this summer.

The $11.7 million state-funded Route 166 intersection safety improvements project will upgrade the intersection of Route 166 with Route 37 by installing a raised median barrier between opposing traffic, improve the roadway geometry, make traffic signal improvements between Highland Parkway and Old Freehold Road, and widen the roadway by constructing a new through lane on Route 166 northbound and southbound. In addition, the project will make drainage improvements, construct a retaining wall along the west side of Route 166 adjacent to the Dover Mall redevelopment and install additional sign structures. The project, which began in March 2016, was suspended for several months in 2017 due to the TTF shutdown, and is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

Variable message signs and detour signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the safety improvements project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road or ramp closures.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weatheror other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.