County Line Rd. work planned

JACKSON - New travel and turning lanes, improved drainage and upgraded traffic signals are coming to County Line Road and East County Line Road.

According to a press release, the Ocean County Board of Freeholders will award an $8.9 million construction contract to Lucas Brothers Inc., of the Morganville section of Marlboro, for the dualization of County Line Road (Route 526) in Jackson.

Work will include the installation of a grass median along the road between Bennetts Mills and Cook roads. Identical improvements will be made between Harmony and Jackson Mills roads.

The work is similar to the widening and improvements nearing completion on two adjacent stretches of County Line Road, said Freeholder John P. Kelly, liaison to the Ocean County Engineer's Office.

"When the work is done in about two years, the entire stretch of County Line Road from Bennetts Mills Road to Jackson Mills Road will be four lanes with a grass median and improved intersections," Kelly said.

The county is also installing two

U-turns for easy access to businesses along the divided road, Kelly said.

Further east on Route 526 in Lakewood, work will begin in the spring on the widening of East County Line Road from Route 9 to Squankum Road, said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department.

According to the press release, the freeholders are preparing to seek bids on the estimated $5 million project that will also upgrade the traffic signals and improve drainage.

The road will be widened from two lanes to four between Route 9 and Clifton Avenue, Lacey said.

Turn lanes will also be added at the intersections of Squankum Road and Princeton Avenue.

The project also includes improvements to Squankum Road north to the intersection with Kennedy Boulevard.

"County Line Road is a major artery that stretches across two of our county's largest municipalities," said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little. "These improvements will ensure motorists enjoy a safe trip whether they are traveling in Jackson or Lakewood."