Route 72 Thorofare Bridges go single-file each way Monday

It'll be a tight squeeze until spring between Long Beach Island and the mainland.

The two thorofare bridges connecting Bonnet Island, Cedar Bonnet Island and Long Beach Island narrow to one lane in each direction starting Monday, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

The spans are being overhauled as part of the Route 72-Manahawkin Bay Bridge construction project.

Drivers will cross on the newly-rebuilt north side of both bridges while the south side undergoes bridge deck joint replacement and pavement overlay.

When it's done, anticipated to be mid-winter, traffic will shift to the southern side to allow repaving on the north side.

NJDOT continues daily shuttle service for pedestrians on the new Causeway Bridge until the footpath on the original bridge can be rehabbed and reopened.

The Route 72-Manahawkin Bay Bridge Project is scheduled for completion in 2020, at which point there will be two spans - one for eastbound traffic to LBI, one for westbounders to Stafford Township. See all the details here.