For Immediate Release:
September 25, 2008
Freeholders dedicate three newly completed transportation projects
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders dedicated three newly completed transportation projects today in Howell, Tinton Falls and Freehold Township.
The projects include intersection improvements and installation of a traffic light in Howell; a new bridge on Shark River Road, and another new bridge on Robertsville Road in Freehold Township.
“It is always a good feeling to attend a ribbon-cutting on a completed project and essentially turn it over to a town whose residents had to endure seemingly endless construction and detours while the project was being built,” Freeholder William C. Barham said. “Therefore, I want to thank the residents of Howell, Tinton Falls and Freehold Township for their patience, and I hope that they will enjoy the benefits of these projects knowing that their county tax dollars were put to good use.”
Details of the projects are as follows:
- Route 524 and Fairfield Road, Howell Township. The intersection improvements consist of road widening along Route 524 and Fairfield Road to construct a dedicated left-turn lane on each approach, installation of a semi-actuated traffic signal and installation of storm drainage system. The westbound, dedicated left-turn lane will improve school bus and passenger vehicle access to the recently expanded Adelphia School.
The project was completed on time for the opening of the school year. The project was designed by Gravatt Consulting Group of Lacey Township, with direction and inspection from the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering. It was constructed by Earle Asphalt Company of Freehold at an estimated final contract cost of $500,000.
- County Bridge S-2 on Shark River Road (east of Shafto Road), Tinton Falls. The reconstruction of Bridge S-2 entailed the removal of an existing single-span brick masonry arch on stone masonry skewbacks, and construction of a 48-by-76-inch reinforced concrete elliptical culvert pipe supported on concrete spread footings, with reinforced concrete wing walls, parapets and railing. The new bridge will carry two, 12-foot lanes of traffic with 3-foot shoulders, and include a 6-foot-wide sidewalk for future use along the downstream side of the bridge.
Shark River Road was detoured for 150 days and the project was completed on budget. The project was designed by Abbington Associates of Freehold with direction and inspection from the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering. This project was constructed by Star of the Sea Concrete Corp. of Old Bridge at an estimated final contract cost of $500,000.
- County Bridge F-5 on Robertsville Road, at McGellaird’s Brook, Freehold Township. The reconstruction of Bridge F-5 consisted of the removal of an existing single-span culvert with concrete abutments and wing walls, concrete deck slab superstructure and asphalt overlay in its entirety and the construction of a three-sided pre-cast concrete culvert supported on concrete footings, stay-in-place scour protection and timber piles, with reinforced concrete wing walls, parapets and railing. The new bridge will carry two, 12-foot lanes of traffic with 3-foot shoulders, and include a 10-foot-wide multi-use bituminous trail located to west on Lake Topanemus Park, and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk for future use along the opposite side of the bridge.
Traffic on Robertsville Road was detoured for 180 days and completed on time and on budget. The project was designed by T&M Associates of Middletown with direction and inspection from the Monmouth County Department of Public Works and Engineering. This project was constructed by Lucas Brothers Inc. of Marlboro at an estimated final contract cost of $1.1 million.
“As a former principal of Howell High School, there were many mornings when I wished a traffic light was at the Fairfield Road intersection due to the volume of morning traffic on Route 524,” Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow said. “All of these projects dedicated today demonstrate how well the county responds to the changing needs of our communities.”
“The county is constantly evaluating and maintaining the more than 980 bridges and culverts and 380 miles of county roads,” Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton said. “We appreciate the sacrifices local residents have had to make while these projects were being completed.”
Turning on the traffic light at Route 524 and Fairfield Road are (from left) County Engineer Joseph Ettore, Public Works and Engineering Director John W. Tobia, Freeholder William C. Barham, Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow and Howell resident Barbara Dixel.
At a ribbon-cutting dedication of a new county bridge on Robertsville Road, over McGellaird's Brook, in Freehold Township, are (from left) John Moren, who designed the bridge, Paul Jorge of Lucas Brothers Inc, which built the bridge, Freeholder William C. Barham, Anthony A. Panzarino, of T&M Associates, Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow and Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton.
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