In the Press...
Two River Times News Article:'Life-changing' Improvement Comes to Rt. 537 and 34 IntersectionIt’s taken nearly two decades of pushing for federal dollars and working with state entities, but construction to widen and reconstruct Monmouth County’s busiest, most trafficked intersection will soon start. Over 37,000 cars travel through the CR-537 and Route 34 intersection every day in the heart of Colts Neck. The large-scale project starting on Oct. 23 will continue until its anticipated completion date of December 2019. 
Representatives from Colts Neck, Monmouth County, and the state and federal governments gathered at the intersection of Routes 537 and 34 Friday, Oct. 13 to break ground on a long-awaited $17.5 million roadway reconstruction project. Beck even described it as a “life-changing project.” Monmouth County officials secured a $21.3 million agreement with the Federal Highway Administration in June to cover repair costs for the perpetually congested intersection. In August, the Monmouth County Freeholders authorized a $17.5 million contract bid by Rencor, Inc. of Somerville for the work. Monmouth County is expected to spend $172,000 for staffing police officers and traffic maintenance during the work. The Transportation Trust Fund is expected to wholly cover that cost, according to county officials. 
Traffic backs up along CR-537 West on Friday morning as cars wait in line. New improvements would ease flow from CR-537 and Route 34. Monmouth County Engineer Joe Ettore said when construction begins on Oct. 23, work hours will span from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during weekdays, depending on activity. Some days those hours could be extended. “Traffic will be maintained at all times,” Ettore said. “There may be delays and lane closures, but they’re going to be sporadic depending on the work requirement.” Weekend construction is not planned now, and the construction company would need permits from Colts Neck and Monmouth County for that. Ettore said both governing bodies would consider allowing weekend work. The project will be completed in a number of phases, and Ettore said the first one will be a widening of CR-537 at the southwest corner of the intersection. During the project design the county ran into environmental and acquisition roadblocks. Ettore said strips of five to 10 feet of property along the project limits were acquired to allow for the roadway widening. Mine Brook, a tributary of the Swimming River Reservoir that travels underneath CR-537, was carefully studied by the state. “This is one of the largest projects that a county government undertakes,” Ettore said. “It’s unusual that the county would take the lead on a project that includes an intersection of a county road and a state road.” Surrounded by local, state and federal elected officials, Monmouth County Freeholder Director and former Colts Neck Mayor Lillian Burry said the road reconstruction is a long time coming, and a championing moment of her political career. “I’m absolutely elated,” Burry said, “and I can assure you there are a lot of other people that share my elation.” “This is an important project not only from the standpoint of easing traffic, but perhaps even more importantly, from a safety point-of-view,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-04). 
The engineering plan for the redesigned intersection. The intersection serves as the main artery for travel into the township’s business district, added Sue Fitzpatrick, president of the Colts Neck Business Association. A number of businesses operate within one square mile of the project scope. North of the intersection is an Investor’s Bank and Brock Farms gardening center. On the eastern and western ends are two restaurants: the newly built Huddy’s Inn and the Colts Neck Inn Steak and Chop House, respectively. Just south is the Orchards at Colts Neck shopping center and slightly farther down the road is the seasonal go-to, Delicious Orchards. Fitzpatrick said businesses have been receptive to the roadwork, but want the open, rural feel of Colts Neck to remain. “We don’t want a super highway in what’s a rural district here,” she said. “We work hard to keep it that way.” According to the County, the following is a breakdown of the intersection improvements.
This article was first published in the Oct. 19-26, 2017 print edition of The Two River Times and can be read online at: |