Byron Johnson Area plans on hold
By: Frank C. D’Amico
UPPER FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County road project has slowed the progress of the Byron Johnson Recreation Area.
County engineers working on the Allentown Westerly Bypass have decided to move road lines related to the project approximately 55 feet, cutting into a portion of the recreation area behind Allentown High School, Township Committeeman Paul Burke said.
Now, there is no definitive timeline for the Byron Johnson project, he said.
Monmouth County Engineer Ted Giannechini said this particular change will affect the realignment of Ellisdale Road, which runs behind the recreation area.
Mr. Giannechini said the completion of this phase is contingent on cooperation from K. Hovnanian, which is building the Beacon Hill development off Ellisdale Road.
The development is slated for 387 age-restricted houses and 86 single-family houses.
Mr. Giannechini said the Ellisdale Road realignment probably is two years from completion.
The realignment is the final phase in the bypass project, he said.
Mr. Giannechini said the first phase will connect Route 526 to Main Street just south of Exit 8 of Route 195. This phase will go out to bid this year and the engineering is "99 percent done," he said.
The second and third phases involve Sharon Station Road.
Mr. Giannechini said the county will rebuild three bridges on the road so it can handle all trucks.
"The other phase will involve the reconfiguring of the awkward intersection of Sharon Station and Route 539," he said.
Mr. Giannechini said this portion will go out to bid in 2001.
The Ellisdale Road change will require the county to use a piece of the retention pond at the recreation site, Mr. Burke said.
Initially, Upper Freehold wanted to begin work on the 28-acre site in May.
"We wanted to have the work completed by the end of the year so it could be used next spring," Mr. Burke said.
Mr. Burke said Monmouth County will incur all engineering costs.
The bypass, which is designed to draw truck traffic away from Allentown, has been under study for 10 years, Mr. Burke said.
"It hasn’t really been given top priority by the county," Mr. Burke said.
The recreation site will have soccer and Little League fields as well as basketball courts. Mr. Burke said the area is intended for community use and not just for competitive student athletics.
The township acquired the 28-acre recreation site after it swapped lands with Monmouth County. It transferred the rights to Walnford Park to the county and it took over the Byron Johnson area.
Byron Johnson was the man who previously owned the land.
Mr. Burke said the Byron Johnson area will be "considered part of the Monmouth County open space plan."
He said any changes the township wants to do with the recreation area, it has to get approval through Monmouth County.
"We understand what the county has to do, but we’re still a little disappointed," Mr. Burke said.