Work on New Asbury Avenue-Pine Street-Essex Road Intersection Begins

By Christopher Sheldon

A long-awaited road project began on Friday morning and officials from Monmouth County and Tinton Falls were on hand to give it their blessing.

The $3 million realignment of the intersection of Asbury Avenue, Essex Road and Pine Street will be carried out by the county according to Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas Arnone.

"It's been a long project in waiting and I'm extremely excited to see it get started," Arnone said.

Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera said the project will "realign the roadways and provide safer traffic movement and drainage improvements."

"In addition, the existing temporary light will be moved to its new location once the project is completed," Skudera said.

The county installed a traffic light at the intersection of Asbury Avenue and Essex several years ago, but it was always meant to be a temporary fix until this project could begin. The light will be installed at the new intersection of Pine Street, Asbury Avenue and Essex Road.

The portion of Essex Road that used to connect to Asbury Avenue will be closed off, Skudera said. 

Tinton Falls Council President Gary Baldwin said the project will make life easier for the over 1,400 senior citizens who live at Seabrook, a retirement community that lies on Essex Road, and the two age restricted communities on Pine Street.

"To turn onto (Asbury Avenue from Pine Street) is like taking your lives into your hands," Baldwin said. 

Tinton Falls will be extending the sidewalk along this site to provide better pedestrian access and to connect the local businesses with Seabrook Village, Skudera said. He said the county will install sidewalks on Asbury Avenue and that the borough will build them along Essex Road.

Seabrook Public Affairs Manager Tony Ciavolella said he hopes the project will improve the life of residents.

“We applaud the county officials, council president and mayor for their tireless work in bringing this plan to fruition," Ciavolella said. "This road improvement and sidewalk project will improve life for not only the residents of Seabrook, but for the employees who travel Asbury Avenue and Essex Road as well. People who use the sidewalks will be safer as a result of the new infrastructure upgrade and those who drive the roadways will also realize a safer trip.”

Arnone said the project is expected to be completed by next September.