Freeholders approve 2003 road improvement program

Plan involves projects in 29 municipalities.

By:Eve Collins
   The Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved a road improvement plan totaling $28.5 million.
   The plan involves projects in 29 of the county’s 40 municipalities, including northern Burlington County, and was approved at the board’s Feb. 5 meeting.
   "This is a sound and responsible plan," said Freeholder Vincent R. Farias in a press release. "Projects are planned for 29 of our municipalities, which represent more than 90 percent of our population," he said.
   The freeholders are expected to adopt an ordinance March 12 for a lease financing agreement through the County Bridge Commission for construction and equipment costs in the amount of $10.5 million. Almost $7 million is expected to be used for the 2003 construction projects.
   The remaining funds will be saved for future use.
   Only about 25 percent, less than $7 million, of the total costs for the projects are in "new" county money, Mr. Farias said. "We are expecting almost $11 million in federal funds, as well as $4.6 million in state funds, with an additional $1 million being contributed by municipalities and developers on three projects," he said. "We hope the state upholds its funding commitment."
   The plan addresses motorist and pedestrian safety issues, highway maintenance, and traffic flow improvement, Mr. Farias said.
   More than 26 miles of county roads will be resurfaced, seven intersections will be improved, seven bridges will be reconstructed, improvements will be made to traffic signals at 38 intersections and three new signals will be installed throughout the county.
   Eight bridge replacements, including the Mansfield Road East bridge in Mansfield Township, will cost approximately $7.6 million.
   Some of the projects will receive funding from the Federal Highway Administration, said Dave Wyche, a spokesman for the county, but the Mansfield Road East bridge will cost the county about $400,000.
   Seven intersection reconstruction projects are scheduled to start in 2003 and are estimated to cost almost $7 million. Two of the projects are Columbus Road at the Birch Hollow housing development and the Columbus and Old York Road intersection in Florence Township.
   The intersection at Columbus Road and Birch Hollow will receive left-hand turning lanes, said Mr. Wyche . The project is estimated to cost $800,000, he said.
   The intersection of Columbus and Old York Roads will receive left-hand turning lanes from all approaches, as well as a right-hand turning lanes on the northbound part of Old York Road, said Mr. Wyche.
   The intersection also will receive a traffic light with backup battery power, he said. The estimated cost for this project is $1 million.
   Road resurfacing is scheduled for 26 miles along 13 roads in 18 municipalities throughout the county for an anticipated cost of $5.2 million. Included in these projects are Georgetown-Wrightstown Road between McGuire Access Road and Chesterfield Road in Springfield, Chesterfield and Mansfield townships; McGuire Access Road between Wrightstown-Cookstown Road and Wrightstown Road in New Hanover, North Hanover and Springfield townships; and Saylors Pond Road between Route 68 and the Wrightstown border in Springfield.
   The county’s plan calls for budgeting $4.3 million for traffic signals. Construction for signals involve installing new signals and upgrades to existing lights, including one at Monmouth and Jacksonville-Jobstown roads in Springfield Township. The project will include a new controller, vehicle detection, poles and signal head, said Mr. Wyche.