to major O.B. roadways
By natalie m. vena
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — Representatives from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed reconstruction plans for Route 18 and county roads 516 and 527 during last week’s Township Council meeting.
According to Christopher Lawrence, project engineer for the state DOT, the main problem affecting the township’s roadways is that direct access to Route 18 and roads 516 and 527 does not presently exist.
According to the briefing presented to the council Sept. 5, existing problems include missing movements from Route 18 northbound to routes 516 and 527. Substandard geometric features exist along routes 516 and 527 across the Route 18 bridge, and the intersection of Route 516 and Old Matawan Road has operational and safety concerns.
Residents have to travel along local roads, such as Leon Avenue, to get to Route 18 northbound. And to reach Route 527, local residents have to travel along Main Street for a mile and a half, and then turn around, explained Lawrence.
In 1998, the DOT conducted a concept development study of the area that confirmed existing problems and collected data for further studies.
Consequently, feasibility assessment was initiated last year, and 15 alternatives were developed and evaluated by the DOT. A preferred alternative was identified through input from Old Bridge officials and Middlesex County.
The approximate construction cost for the federally funded project is $8.1 million, which does not include additional costs such as engineering fees, according to Lawrence.
Final design of the project is expected in spring 2004 with construction slated to begin anytime between 2004 and 2005.
The plan calls for the DOT to attain four dwellings as well as an undeveloped parcel of land, which exists where new construction is expected. The homeowners of the four dwellings have not been notified yet and there is no price tag on the acquisitions yet, explained Lawrence.
The public will be notified at a public meeting scheduled for October, added Lawrence.
The proposal includes providing missing ramp movements, replacing the existing bridge over Route 18, the realignment of county roads 516 and 527 to eliminate horizontal and vertical design deficiencies, the realignment of horizontal geometry along Route 18 to eliminate design exceptions, improvements to the merge point from the Route 18 southbound ramp to 527 westbound, relocation of the signalized intersection at Marsad Drive/Old Matawan Road and 516, the addition of a signalized intersection at a new ramp and 516, coordinating signals to optimize traffic operations, and maintaining access to the Miller School.
"The plans are not etched in stone," said Lawrence. During the public information meeting in October, the public and council will be able to offer their concerns and opinions regarding the plan, added Lawrence.

