Road improvements to begin
Improved traffic flow and pedestrian safety are the goals of the $4.25 million reconstruction of a portion of Route 528 in Jackson and Lakewood.

A 1.5-mile stretch of the road between Stacey Court in Jackson and Gudz Road in Lakewood will be reconstructed and improved under a contract to be awarded by the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, according to a press release.

P&A Construction Inc. of the Colonia section of Woodbridge was the low bidder for the work.

"This project is really a continuation of the improvements already made to Route 528 east of Gudz Road," said Freeholder John P. Kelly, liaison to the Ocean County Engineer's Office. "Once completed, this section of road will have extra-wide shoulders and a center turning lane."

The work will include extensive improvements to the Route 528 and Hope Chapel Road intersection.

The traffic signal will be replaced and the intersection will be widened from three lanes to five lanes in all four directions, providing additional through lanes and dedicated left turn lanes.

The traffic signal at the Cross Street intersection will also be upgraded. An additional westbound through-lane on Route 528 and a right-turn slot from Cross Street to Route 528 eastbound will be added, Kelly said.

"Once this project is completed, motorists will find fewer delays when traveling through these two intersections," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department.

Other upgrades include marked crosswalks and pedestrian-activated signals at both intersections.

"When we designed these improvements, we considered both motorist safety and pedestrian safety to be a priority," Lacey said.

Drainage improvements will also be made along the stretch of road.

Work is slated to begin later this year and continue for about 18 months, according to the press release.