REMINDER: Large Portion of Ocean Avenue Now One-Way

Long Branch's Ocean Avenue has been converted to a one-way street southbound from Melrose Terrace to North Bath Avenue.

The city's boardwalk was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy and resulted in the loss of one of residents' favorite places to walk and jog.

Long Branch Public Safety Director said the traffic pattern change will create a lane for people to safely perform recreational activities

"This change will allow us to provide a place for the many pedestrians, both walker and runners, that utilize the beachfront on a daily basis to continue their daily routines," Roebuck said in an e-mail. "We feel the enhanced safety to pedestrians will be worth the inconvenience."

A long row of orange Jersey barrier have been installed to separate the two lanes of traffic, but there are gaps in certain sections that allow residents to cross the street.

City officials have not released a timeline for how long the traffic pattern change will be in place.

"Please bear with us as we rebuild, better than ever," Roebuck said.