Politics & Government

Route 530 Road Construction Falls Behind Schedule

Road work was expected to be completed by spring of 2012

Construction on Route 530 in Whiting will take longer than originally expected.

While county officials planned to finish construction this spring, the Office of the Ocean County Engineer is now anticipating work to be completed sometime before 2013 arrives.

"Due to unanticipated delays with utility relocations and weather, we are now expecting the job to be completed before end of year," said Suzanne Hill, a representative for engineer Frank Scarantino. 

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Freeholder John P. Kelly said the project includes 4,000 feet of new sidewalks, five new left-turn lanes at intersections, wider shoulders, a new traffic signal, three storm drainage basins and restoration of the rail crossing near Station Road, which has been completed.

The changes to the two miles of Route 530, also known as Lacey Road,  $4.07 million under the contract awarded to C.J. Hesse Inc., of Belford. That is $100,000 under the estimated cost.

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A protracted construction schedule means slower travel for drivers, as the speed limit has been lowered to 25 mph, even when construction workers are not present. 

Travel in the work area, which runs on the roadway between Schoolhouse Road and Route 539, is always 25 mph, according to Capt. Lisa Parker. 

"The new speed limit, which has been authorized and approved through resolution by both the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders as well as the Office of the County Engineer, is in effect 24 hours a day and not just when construction workers are present," .


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