HOWELL — The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders has awarded a contract for a project that officials said will improve a troublesome intersection in Howell.
The improvements will be made at the intersection of Squankum-Yellowbrook and West Farms roads. The intersection is near Howell Middle School North and Howell High School.
According to a resolution the freeholders passed at a recent meeting, bids were received on Nov. 18. The bids were referred to the director of the Board of Freeholders, the county administrator, the county director of purchasing and the county counsel for tabulation, examination, report and recommendation.
Two bids were received, and officials said the Earle Asphalt Company, Farmingdale, was the lower responsible and responsive bidder. The company was awarded a contract in the amount $277,513.
At present there are stop signs on West Farms Road at the intersection, according to Laura Kirkpatrick, the county’s public information officer.
Motorists on Squankum-Yellowbrook Road have the right of way at the intersection. There are no stop signs for vehicles traveling on Squankum-Yellowbrook Road.
Kirkpatrick previously said county officials are planning to replace the stop signs on West Farms Road with a flashing red and yellow blinker light at the intersection. The blinker light will have a yellow (caution) signal for vehicles on Squankum-Yellowbrook Road and a red (stop) signal for vehicles on West Farms Road, according to Kirkpatrick.
The county is working with the state Department of Transportation and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority on this project.
The intersection has been the scene of several accidents in recent months, including a fatal accident last July.
Construction on the proposed safety improvements for the intersection of Squankum-Yellowbrook and West Farms roads can begin this year, according to Kirkpatrick.
Contact Taylor M. Lier at [email protected].