rap #165 08/25/10

LACEY AND BERKELEY ROAD PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR

TWO SEPARATE road improvement projects in Lacey and Berkeley townships should be completed by the end of the year.

The reconstruction and resurfacing of Route 530 (Dover Road) from the Garden State Parkway to Pinewald-Keswick Road in both South Toms River Borough and Berkeley Township will begin this fall, said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety.

The project should be under way this fall and finished in about 40 working days, he said.

C.J. Hesse, Inc. Belford submitted the low bid for the contract. The $1.47 million cost is about $150,00 less than original estimates.

In Lacey Township, upgrades to an intersection in the Bamber Lake section will improve safety for motorists traveling through that rural section of the county.

"We've identified a potentially dangerous location where two side roads intersect Lacey Road," Kelly said. "By making a few upgrades, this will become a much safer intersection for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians."

The project includes realigning Lacey Road at Phillips Road and Good Luck Point Road. A left-turn lane will be added on Lacey Road to funnel traffic onto Phillips Road, Kelly said.

"We're also going to improve the sharp curve on Lacey Road so drivers coming from all directions will have a better view of traffic," Kelly said.

Freeholder Director James F. Lacey said the cost of this project was also less than expected.

C.J. Hesse, Inc. was again the low bidder at $536,440, which was $63,000 below the estimated cost.

Lacey said the work will begin early this fall and be completed in about three months.

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