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A small army of construction workers repair Route 35, where the ocean met Barnegat Bay in Mantoloking during Hurricane Sandy, in this Nov. 30 photo.

(Photo by Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)

MANTOLOKING — One of the Jersey shore communities hardest hit by Sandy plans to re-open a major state highway through its worst-damaged area by the end of next week.

Mantoloking is preparing to fully re-open Route 35.

Damage on the barrier island community was severe, with the storm cutting it in two as the ocean met the bay. But repairs have been under way since then, and the heavily traveled state road should reopen on or near Feb. 1.

Only the southern half of Route 35 is now open.

Police patrols will be heavy, with the license plate of every vehicle on the road being read by officers. Borough spokesman Chris Nelson says side streets will remain off-limits and any car that stops on Route 35 in Mantoloking will be ticketed.

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