Route 9 and Lacey Road Intersection Improvements Slated for September

can begin as early as September since the project was awarded in June, state Department of Transportation spokesman Timothy Greeley said.

The project that will reconfigure the busy intersection was awarded on Thursday, June 28 to Earle Asphalt Company in Wall for $3,938,713.13. The funds were budgeted for in the state’s Fiscal Year 2012 Capital Program.

“NJDOT identified this intersection as one of the most congested along Route 9 in Ocean County through a corridor study conducted a few years back, but we also credit local officials and residents with voicing their safety and congestion concerns about this intersection to us as well,” he said.

Typically, it takes about two months to go from award to construction beginning, he said.

Although signs have appeared on Route 9 stating construction will begin on Route 9 and Lacey Road from Oak Street to Game Farm Road on Monday, July 9, the tentative schedule shows preliminary construction activity and utility relocation work beginning in early September, he said.

The signs, he said, are required by state statute (NJSA 27:7-27) to provide advance notification to residents and utility companies prior to construction.

“These signs are issued and installed well in advance of a construction schedule being finalized and are intended to provide notification of that work and the dates used are tentative at best,” he said. “Earlier dates are used so that utility companies will know not to plan any work in that area beyond that date on the sign." 

The would reconfigure the intersection as follows:

• The Route 9 northbound approach would feature a left-turn lane, through lane, and one shared thru/right turn lane.
• The Route 9 southbound approach would feature two through lanes and an exclusive right-turn lane. The Route 9 southbound left turn would still be accomplished utilizing the existing movement made via Oak Street and Parker Avenue.
• Lacey Road eastbound approach would feature a double left-turn lane, a through lane and a right-turn lane.
• Lacey Road westbound would feature a left turn lane and a shared through/right lane.
• Additional improvements include a new dedicated left turn lane from Route 9 southbound to Jones Road, new sidewalks throughout the project limits and the intersection’s drainage system will be upgraded.

“These improvements are designed to provide a safer, more reliable roadway intersection that will meet with current design standards, improving motorist safety and helping to relieve the traffic congestion that can build up at this location,” Greeley said.

Local officials will be provided with information on the project’s schedule once it is established, he said.