Summer road projects planned in Ocean County

CHRIS KELLY staff State Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy answers a few questions before taking a tour of the Brick Primary Learning Center Friday.

Work will begin this summer on improvements to Massachusetts Avenue near Route 70 in Toms River and Lakewood townships.

The estimated $2.5 million project will rebuild and widen the roadway and add left-hand-turn lanes at the entrances to two adult communities.

"Massachusetts Avenue is an important road linking Toms River and Lakewood," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. "This project will improve traffic flow both for local residents and anyone else traveling between two of Ocean County's largest municipalities."

Work includes the construction of major drainage improvements and wider pavement that will extend the turn lanes at the entrance to The Fairways and The Enclave communities just north of Route 70 in Lakewood, and provide wider shoulders for the length of the project.

A left-turn lane will also be added at the intersection with Honey Locust Drive.

Work is slated to begin this summer and is being coordinated with a state-funded project to improve the intersection of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue.

The state will be widening both roads approaching the intersection and adding new turn lanes to ease traffic in the area.

"We are pleased that both of these construction projects can be completed hand-in-hand," Kelly said. "By doing the work at the same time, we are also limiting the inconvenience to drivers."

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to begin seeking bids for the project next week. Work should be completed by the fall, Kelly said.

The freeholders are also expected to award two road construction projects that will cost significantly less than originally expected.

Bids for the reconstruction and repaving of a nearly 12-mile stretch of Route 539 from Barnegat to Manchester townships came in 12 percent lower than original estimates.

The $4.9 million contract will be awarded to Earle Asphalt Co. of Farmingdale, which is expected to begin work on the road by the summer.

Likewise, bids on the reconstruction of Adamston Road in Brick Township also came in 12 to 15 percent lower than expected.

Lucas Brothers Inc. of Morganville will be paid $1 million for the reconstruction, which also includes new and upgraded drainage.

"We have received some very competitive prices on many of our road projects this year," said Freeholder Deputy Director James F. Lacey. "Many of the winning bids have been substantially lower than we expected."

About 1.2 miles of Adamston Road will be reconstructed from Drum Point Road to just before Mantoloking Road.

The work will begin in the summer and be completed next spring, Lacey said.