Drivers in Ocean County — especially in Lakewood, Toms River, and Manchester — should expect lane closures and traffic delays on Route 70 and Route 9 as a large road project begins tomorrow. The $9.9 million project, funded by the federal government, will repair and preserve sections of the highways in both Ocean and Monmouth counties.

Beginning Tuesday, May 12, and continuing through Friday, May 15, drivers will see daytime shoulder closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Workers will be putting up construction signs along Route 70 and Route 9.

After the signs are installed, overnight lane closures will begin later in May. Those closures will take place Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning. Crews will remove old lane markings and prepare the roads for paving work.

The main construction work on Route 70 is expected to begin in mid-June and continue for several months. Overnight lane closures on Route 9 are expected to start in early August.

The project includes about 13 miles of Route 70 in Ocean County, including the busy stretch from Manchester through Lakewood and toward Toms River. Parts of Brick, Brielle, and Wall will also be affected. On Route 9, work will take place in Lacey, Berkeley, Pine Beach, and Beachwood.

The project is expected to be finished in fall 2026.