To avoid bottlenecks getting into Seaside Heights this weekend for the three-day Columbus Day Festival, avoid using Route 35 and take Route 37 through Toms River instead, New Jersey Department of Transportation officials advise.

Traffic flows on Route 35
Traffic flows on Route 35 (NJ DOT)
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"Route 35 remains an active construction site," said DOT Spokesman Steve Schapiro. "The interchange between Route 37 and Route 35 was completely reconstructed before the summer and has been open since then, and that's the best way to get on and off the peninsula."

Most of the construction is not in Seaside Heights, but rather to the south, in neighboring Seaside Park and further north up to the Bay Head/Point Pleasant Beach border.

"There's a little bit of construction when you come off of Route 37 and get onto Route 35 going northbound towards Lavalette," said Schapiro.

Motorists should expect some congestion on Route 35 north through a section of Ortley with only one lane available.

Anyone willing to brave Route 35 south should budget extra time, Schapiro said. From Bay Head down to Lavalette, sections of the highway have detours, alternating traffic and only lane.

"It's always important when you're driving in construction areas to slow down, keep a safe traveling distance from the vehicle in front of you and plan a little extra time into your travel," Schapiro said.

As far as parking, Schapiro says all of the lots in Seaside Heights will be available. However, median parking in Seaside Park has been torn up as part of the ongoing construction.

Event organizers expect approximately 80,000 people to attend the festival, weather permitting.

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