April 9 & 10th is OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND in Ocean County!!

Hey all!! This weekend, April 9th & 10th is OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND for all of Ocean County NJ!! Click here http://goo.gl/R4ep31 to see all of the Open Houses that are being held this weekend. It's a great time to buy or sell a home. Call/text me directly with any questions 1-609-284-3553 or if you are ready to sell or buy a home.  The market is great right now!  Interest rates are still low, buyers are out there but we do need more inventory.  Hope to see some of you out there this weekend.

The Causeway Bridge Update - Courtesy of www.tapinto.net and Kaitlyn Sharkey

By KAITLYN SHARKEY

March 23, 2016 at 7:55 PM

STAFFORD, NJ - Today at 2 p.m. a meeting was conducted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation at the Ship Bottom Borough Hall.  The meeting's purpose was to give the community, business owners, residents and tourists an opportunity to view the design plans for the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge Project.  The briefing was held by the NJDOT staff  and they updated the people on the current progress of the project.  The leaders gave updates about  the Thorofare Bridges Scour Protection plan along with Public Waterfront Access Improvements.

NJDOT employees began the presentation with a brief overview of the five contracted plans.  The scour protections were discussed first.  The department has added scour protections for the thorofare bridges.  The staff added that "the scour protections will enhance the reliability and safety of structures.”  The bridges are the only way on and off Long Beach Island and the plan is “designing protection in the case of an extreme event.”

The smaller thorofare bridges can't be completely destroyed and replaced due to the length of time that it would take to replace each and the lack of accessiblity for residents if that were to take place.  The thorofare bridges are currently being renovated.  

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The westbound thorofare bridge is currently being renovated.  That is expected to be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.  Traffic will be shifted back to two lanes during the peak summer months.  The DOT will begin work on the eastbound thorofare bridges during the offseason.  

In the next few weeks eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge. Westbound traffic will also be shifted onto the new bridge in the few weeks following the initial shift.

The DOT representatives could give no exact dates for the new traffic patterns, but total completion of the new bridge is expected no later than the end of July.

The new bridge will be 2,400 feet long and 55 feet over Manahawkin Bay.  The bridge will still contain two 12 foot wide lanes like the former bridge.  There will be a much larger shoulder and a walkway for pedestrians.

Once the new bridge is completely finished by July it will function for both eastbound and westbound traffic until the entire project project is complete.

The next contract will begin at the completion of this current contract.  That new contract will last approximately 2-3 years. This contract includes the rehabilitation of the existing Manahawkin Bay Bridge.  

The bridge deck will be removed and completely restructured.  The project will be completed in 2020.  The new span will provide for eastbound traffic and the restructured "old" bridge will provide for westbound traffic.

Residents and citizens expressed a number of concerns during the meeting.  A  Cedar Bonnet Island resident expressed his concerns with the road near Dutchman’s that tends to be closed without notice at times during construction.  This results in a detour to get to his home.   Management from the Dutchman's Restaurant requested that a sign be posted to let people know when the underpass with access to his restaurant eastbound is closed.   The DOT staff reassured all that the underpass will not be closed after May 15th.  

This resident expressed concern about safety for Cedar Bonnet Island residents in the event of emergencies.  Surf City Assistant Fire Chief Robert Luft spoke up and reassured the residents the neighboring fire and police departments have clear plans in place to assist those living on Cedar Bonnet Island.

A significant addition to the project is the recreational facilities that will be constructed according to the Public Access Plan.  There will be nature trails, pavilions with beautiful views, fishing and crabbing areas for the public to enjoy near the large bridge.

Five parking lots will be constructed by the Spring of 2017.  These public waterfront access improvements will provide an area of “ecotourism” for both locals and visitors to appreciate.

Drainage improvements will occur near the Wawa on 9th and Central Avenue in Ship Bottom. Additional information will be available at future public meetings.  Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard at 8th and  9th Street in Ship Bottom will change to two way traffic.  The plan is for these changes to be fully completed by 2020.

The DOT leadership closed the meeting thanking everyone for coming out and participating in the process.  They shared that this is a “unique community compared to other towns in the state.”   The community involvement has been an asset to insure that the project proceeds without delays.

You can get more info by clicking here:   https://www.tapinto.net/articles/the-latest-manahawkin-bay-bridge-project-update

A Little Ocean Humor..Go Ahead, Try Not To Laugh!

Why don’t oysters give to charity?… Because they’re shellfish

What does a mermaid wear to math class?… An algae-bra

Where do shellfish go to borrow money?… The prawn broker

What is a dolphin's favourite TV show?… Whale of fortune

What did the Pacific Ocean say to the Atlantic Ocean?… Nothing, it just waved

What did one tidepool say to the other tidepool?… Show me your mussels

Where does seaweed look for a job?… In the ‘Kelp-wanted’ ads

Have you heard about the restaurant that caters exclusively to dolphins?… It only has one customer, but at least it serves a porpoise

What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?… A nervous wreck

Why does it take pirates so long to learn the alphabet?… Because they spend years at C!

Why are seabirds so lucky in love?… Because one good tern always deserves another

Algae A (to Algae B): “How are things?”Algae B: “Good thanks; business is blooming”

Why does the mermaid wear seashells?…Because she grew out of her B-shells


Ok, so maybe you just chuckled or more likely rolled your eyes and said 'oh brother.'  In any case, I'm sure you will repeat at least one of these to a small or maybe not so small child on the beach this year!

Happy St Patty's Day!!

Bringing buyers and sellers together is what I do,  Are you ready to buy that beach home that you've been dreaming about?  Do you know someone who is looking to sell?  Do you want to know what your house is worth?  I can help!

Give me a call 1-609-284-3553 or shoot me an email iselltheshore@gmail.com and I will get the job done.

It's Tijuana Tuesday At The Northside Bar & Grill!! Also, Check Out The St Patty's Menu & Specials!!

Tijuana Tuesday tonight at NORTHSIDE. Stop by for some Authentic Mexican food, some Preliminary March Madness (Go Fairleigh Dickinson) and New Belgium's Fat Tire Amber Ale now on tap!  Check out these awesome specials!

Northside Bar & Grill has a large variety of beer on tap and a great selection of snacks and fresh lunch & dinner items to choose from.  Try out their trivia game and come watch your favorite team at this great little bar on the boulevard in Surf City.

Here is the Specials Menu for St Patty's Day.  Hope to see you there!

NorthSide Bar & Grille is at 1500 North Long Beach Blvd. in Surf City; call 609-494-3771 formerly Callahan's

Barnegat Lighthouse....Always A Great Visit!

Yes, the Barnegat Lighthouse is open!  It is one of my favorite places to visit.  Bring a picnic lunch or pick up a fresh and tasty sandwich and drink from the Inlet Cafe around the corner and enjoy the view from the picnic tables on the west side of the lighthouse or on the benches to the east.  Watch the boats go by, check out the local and migrating birds and enjoy the salty, fresh sea air.  Life really doesn't get any better than this!  If you have never climbed to the top of the lighthouse, you need to experience that at least once in your life!  The views are stunning.  Take a walk through the nature trails and see the local greenery and wildlife.  There are little signs to identify the many species we have here on the island.  This is the view today, picture perfect!

There is also a bulletin board where birders identify all the birds that they have seen here.

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lighthouse Hours: open weekends from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (weather permitting) Fee: $3 per person ages 12 and older; $1 per person ages 6 to 11; children under 5 free Fees are in effect beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The lighthouse does close due to inclement weather. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html

My Solution To The Current Political Situation

So, on the political front I hear many say they are leaving the country if Trump or Hillary or Bernie happen to win the election... Let me just remind you that I am a real estate agent and I am here to help! If you or someone you know is ready to pack up and leave, give them my number and I'll get them out of here ASAP! Call/text 1-609-284-3553. The market is great right now, interest rates are low...why wait?

Sandi Gomez - The Van Dyk Group 

I can help you with all of your real estate needs!

Call me 1-609-284-3553.

www.iselltheshore.com

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