Western Monmouth County residents and everyone else who drives through the area will have safer bridges and roads, thanks to a county improvement program.
Using state and federal funds, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has announced 14 bridge replacements, 10 intersection improvements and 15 drainage projects for heavily traveled roads. The intent is to improve traffic and adapt to the region’s growth, according to Freeholders Deputy Director Thomas Powers.
On Route 537 and Kozloski Road in Freehold Township, motorists can see the program has already begun. The county is in the midst of a major expansion of Kozloski Road that will connect it with Route 79. That will greatly ease traffic on Main Street in Freehold Borough while giving motorists another route to northwestern Monmouth, Powers said.
Full details of the program will be aired in a half-hour television special that was produced by the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
"Monmouth County is preparing for a future that will require more transportation options," said Bea Duffy, department director. "Our economic growth has been so strong that the freeholders budgeted $40 million to replace 14 bridges, improve 10 intersections and upgrade drainage and other elements on 15 roads that will be paid for largely with state and federal grants. They received $8 million from the New Jersey Trust Fund for the Kozloski Road extension."
Powers said the county foresaw the extension’s need when the freeholders voted to buy the land 12 years ago. As a result, homes did not have to be taken, which lowered costs and avoided families’ disruptions.
Arthur Chasey, the Economic Develop-ment and Tourism Department’s assistant director, said the television program will be an effective way to inform residents about the scope of the improvements.
The program debuts on Cablevision’s Channel 79 on March 1. Chasey urged residents to check listings for times and dates of repeat showings.