Politics & Government

GSP Connector Road Construction Starting in Weeks

Board of Freeholders awards $3.692 million contract to Belford firm for exit 83 project

Residents in the Pleasant Plains section of Toms River should see some traffic relief when a long-awaited connector road is constructed near the Garden State Parkway interchange.

And Ocean taxpayers will see some relief too, as the project's price tag came in almost $1 million less than expected.

The Ocean County Board of Freeholders last week unanimously awarded a $3.692 million contract to C.J. Hesse Inc. of Belford for the long-planned Interchange 83 project. Work is expected to get under way within the next few weeks.

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"This interchange has been much needed in Toms River," said Councilman John Sevastakis, who praised the county's assistance. "We all know how it's been a problem."

The project is designed to improve traffic flow to the Parkway northbound while also addressing backups at the routes 9 and 571 intersection.

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C.J. Hesse will construct a connector road that extends Intermediate Way between routes 166 and 571. The latter road also will be widened between the Parkway and the new thoroughfare.

Additionally, the exit ramp from the Parkway northbound at exit 83 will be expanded, and a signal will be in place where the ramp meets the new road, according to a release. Signals also will be erected at the connector road's intersections with routes 166 and 571.

"This is something long-needed," Freeholder Director Joseph Vicari said last week.

"This project will bring welcome relief to motorists that use the area and are aware of the congestion problems that currently exist. The connector road will provide for a safer trip for our motorists," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, the board's liaison to the Ocean County Road Department.

Nine bids were received by the freeholders, who initially pegged the project's cost to be closer to $5 million. C.J. Hesse was determined to be the lowest qualified bidder with its $3,691,527.99 estimate.

"The competitive prices among bidders have resulted in a real benefit for the citizens of Ocean County," Vicari said.

The 1.3-mile project will extend Ocean County's road system past 621 total miles, the most of any county in New Jersey.

The contract award specifies that C.J. Hesse has no more than 331 days from the project's start date to complete the interchange improvements.


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