For Immediate Release:

July 11, 2014 

 

Middle Road in Hazlet to be improved

 

HAZLET, NJ – On Monday, Aug. 18, work will begin on projects to improve the intersection of Middle Road (CR 516) and Union Avenue and replace the Middle Road Bridge (R 15) over Flat Creek near Brookside Drive.  

 

“These construction projects will take place simultaneously,” Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone said. “The County and Hazlet officials have agreed that the work be done this way to limit the disruption of traffic on this very busy local road.”

 

Motorists should expect travel delays during these projects. Detours will begin for Middle Road on Monday, Aug. 18. In the area of the Middle Road and Union Avenue, there will be intermittent lane closures and shifting of travel lanes as the two projects advance.

 

The improvements to the Middle Road and Union Avenue intersection include the replacement of an outdated span wire traffic signal with a new pole mounted traffic signal with push button activated pedestrian indicators and crosswalks. The project also includes minor widening at the intersection to provide dedicated left turn lanes at all four approaches to the intersection. There will also be an improved right turn lane on the Middle Road eastbound approach to Union Avenue.

 

The Middle Road bridge project requires the complete replacement of the bridge with new concrete and timber piles. The new bridge will accommodate two lanes of traffic, with a shoulders and sidewalks on both sides. The current bridge structure was built in 1950.

 

Intersection improvements are expected to be substantially completed in mid-February 2015, weather permitting. The bridge replacement is expected to be substantially completed by mid-March 2015, weather permitting.

 

“Final paving of both project areas may not be completed until the spring,” Arnone said. “Mild winter weather will help keep this project on track. The final paving may have to wait until later in the spring.”

 

Eastbound motor vehicle traffic on Middle Road will be directed south on Poole Avenue to State Highway 35 to Union Avenue. Westbound motor vehicle traffic on Middle Road will be detoured south on Union Avenue to State Highway 35 to Poole Avenue.

 

Lucas Brothers, Inc. of Morganville will be the construction contractor for both projects. The County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering is overseeing the project. The contract amount for the replacement of the bridge is $987,978. The contract amount for the intersection improvements is $926,019.

 

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