County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:
July 12, 2012

Freeholders activate new traffic signal
at Gravel Hill Road / Route 537 intersection
$2.3 million project included 1 mile of
improvements along CR 537

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, together with the Freehold Township Committee, activated a long-awaited traffic signal today at the intersection of Gravel Hill Road and West Main Street (CR 537).

Assisting with the traffic light turn on at the intersection of County Route 537 and Gravel Hill Road were Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas A. Arnone, Freehold Committeewoman Barbara J. McMorrow, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder Director John P. Curley, Freeholder Serena DiMaso and Freehold Committeeman Robert McGirr.The signal activation is the culmination of years of work improving not only the intersection, but widening the Route 537 approaches at both sides of the intersection. The project entailed the acquiring property along the south side of Route 537 to accommodate the new five-lane configuration.

“This project was supported by the residents in that area who came to the freeholders seeking help with their ability to safely enter Route 537 from Gravel Hill Road,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “These enhancements greatly improve the efficiency of that intersection.”

“One of the first things I did as a freeholder was attend a public information session that showed three options for the new Route 537 alignment,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “Residents looked over all options and in the end we all agreed the southerly alignment would work best. I am glad that the county was able to involve residents and local officials in such an important project.”

 

“This is a great example of how the township and the county were able to work together toward a common goal,” Mayor Anthony Amiano said. “It was a long and complicated project that involved coordination between the township, the county and the residents. On behalf of the entire Township Committee I want to commend the county for seeing this project through to completion.”

 

In addition to a traffic signal with push-button pedestrian crossing signals, the project included the widening of one mile of CR 537 to four lanes with a fifth center lane, widening of Gravel Hill Road to include a left-turn lane, the re-grading of roadway profile along CR 537 to increase sight distance, the installation of storm drainage improvements and the replacement of a small culvert bridge.      

 

The work was performed by P&A Construction of Woodbridge in the amount of $2.3 million.

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