BY CHRIS SHELDON - A 1.2 mile section of Route 66 will be widened thanks to $12 million in federal funding.

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced the project this week and stated the project will help ease summer on a highway that sees a crash rate "three times the state average for this type of roadway.

"This project is long overdue," Smith said in a release. "And today's progress is a great example of tenacity and a teamwork approach with local, state and federal partners all working together to resolve a long-standing problem."

The 1.2 mile section of the highway, stretching from just east of the Garden State Parkway from Jumping Brook Road to Bowne Road/Wayside Road, just west of Route 18, helps link between Tinton Falls and Ocean Township. This section will be widened from two to four lanes and turning lanes and a median will also be created.

Also included in the plan are new traffic signals, crosswalks, curb ramps, sidewalks, improved access to retail businesses and storm water retention. A new jug handle has also been proposed at the intersection of Route 66 and Wayside Road.

In November, planners expect to hold a public meeting in Neptune to provide additional information on the proposed plan. The engineering phase will begin and is scheduled to run through 2018. Construction is estimated to take place in 2019.

Smith said Route 66 is an important public safety corridor as it serves an emergency evacuation route and also provides access to and from the Garden State Parkway.

This article was originally published on Aug. 19 at:

http://www.wordontheshore.com/federal-funds-will-allow-local-highway-to-be-widened--cms-4361