MILLSTONE – A project that is expected to improve an intersection in Millstone Township has been approved by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
On Aug. 7, members of the county’s governing body approved plans and specifications for the construction of safety improvements at the intersection of Millstone Road and Sweetmans Lane/Perrineville Road.
Sweetmans Lane is Monmouth County Route 1 and any improvements to the road must be authorized by the freeholders.
The plans and specifications were prepared by Monmouth County Engineer Joseph Ettore, according to the resolution.
There is no traffic signal at the intersection. Vehicles on Sweetmans Lane/Perrineville Road have the right of way and do not stop. There are stop signs to control vehicles on Millstone Road that seek to cross Sweetmans Lane/Perrineville Road or to turn right or left onto Sweetmans Lane/Perrineville Road.
The intersection is near the Millstone Township municipal courthouse (215 Millstone Road). There is a strip mall at the intersection (221 Millstone Road).
Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, who is the liaison to the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering, said the improvements would include upgrading existing signs to current standards as listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and revising the striping along the Millstone Road approaches to the intersection.
“The striping will include the closing of passing zones and the cross-hatching of shoulders at the intersection,” Arnone said.
He said overgrown vegetation would be trimmed to improve visibility and sight distances would be rechecked to ensure safety at the location.
County employees will make the improvements at the intersection and the anticipated cost of the work is about $5,000, according to Arnone.
Weather permitting, the anticipated completion date of the improvements is Oct. 15.
The freeholders took action after Millstone officials and local business owners voiced concern to the county about safety at the intersection, according to Arnone.
As stated in the resolution, Millstone officials concur with the improvements that have been designed by the county engineer.
“Through New Jersey State Police reports, the county evaluated three years of crash history, from July 2016 through July 2018, and was able to determine short-term improvements,” Arnone said.
“The implemented improvements will be evaluated after 12 months from the time of their implementation. Based on that re-evaluation, future long-term improvements at the intersection may be pursued,” he said.
