SECOND PHASE OF BENNETTS MILLS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
JACKSON TOWNSHIP - With Lake Enno as a backdrop, Ocean County officials today joined with representatives from the
township in deeming the second phase of the reconstruction of Bennetts Mills Road, here, complete.
"This work has brought to the area a new bridge, a wider roadway and improved traffic signals," said Freeholder
Director John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Engineering Department. "These changes will benefit the
many motorists who use this road each and every day."
Construction on the one-mile stretch of Bennetts Mills Road from County Line Road (Route 526) to Manhattan Street took
about 18 months to complete - meeting the scheduled timeline. The project cost about $7.5 million including design,
construction, and right-of-way acquisitions.
"This project was helped along with the cooperation of Jackson Township and the utility companies who were charged with
moving both above and below ground utilities," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. "By the utility companies working with us
we were able to meet our schedule and complete the work in a timely manner.
"We greatly appreciate their cooperation," Vicari said.
Vicari joined with Jackson Township Mayor Mark A. Seda, and other community representatives in cutting the ceremonial
ribbon marking the completion of the work.
The work included the reconstruction of the bridge at Lake Enno, dam rehabilitation, roadway and drainage improvements.
Ocean County Engineer Ronald Lotrecchio noted that with the reconstruction of this bridge, the county, during the last
four years, has replaced eight bridges deemed functionally obsolete.
"The county has spent millions of dollars recently making certain the spans our motorists use are safe," Lotrecchio said.
"We have diligently worked to make certain functionally obsolete bridges are replaced.
"And we plan well into the future to make certain all of our spans are safe," he said.
Bennetts Mills Road was realigned at the area of the bridge in order to improve site distance and roadway safety.
The Bennetts Mills Road project also included modifications of two existing traffic signals at the intersection of
Bennetts Mills Road with County Line Road and with Manhattan Street. A new traffic signal also was installed at the
intersection of Bennetts Mills Road at the shopping plaza.
"Ocean County does the best job possible with making certain our more than 620 miles of county roads are maintained and
improved to meet a growing population," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road
Department. "This work will provide for a better and safer road for motorists."
The county worked in conjunction with the Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority in constructing a new sanitary
sewer main at the project site.
Structural improvements include the rehabilitation of the existing dam that forms Lake Enno, and the
reconstruction of the existing bridge that crosses the south branch of the Metedeconk River.
The project also included improvements to the intersection of Bennetts Mills and County Line roads, along with widening
and reconstructing the roadway and milling and resurfacing of portions of both roads.
The project was funded by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Green Construction Inc., South River, was the contractor on the project. The project was designed by French and Parrello
Associates and CMX was the construction manager.
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